Yerevan hosts seminar on EU-Armenia Free Trade Area talks

PanARMENIAN.Net - On July 20, EU Advisory Group, in collaboration with Economy Ministry organized a seminar focusing on challenges and opportunities in EU-Armenia negotiations on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. The seminar aimed at analyzing the opportunities and challenges on the way to achieving a free trade area with the EU.

As Armenian Economy Minister Tigran Davtyan said, opening the seminar, “Armenia is ready for a liberal trade regime with all of its trade partners. Significant progress was reported with CIS states, with a free trade area agreement signed.”

A ‘zero-round’ preparatory meeting was held in early May followed by the first stage of EU-Armenia negotiations on Free Trade Area was held June 19-20 in Brussels, with 2 more planned in Yerevan and the Belgian capital.

“We believe the talks will be finalized in a short period, enabling a free trade regime between Armenia and 2 major economy systems-EU and CIS,” the Minister said.

The Acting Head of the EU Delegation in Armenia Onno Simons, in turn, added that the agreement finalization depends on the effectiveness of Armenia-conducted reforms in product safety and phytosanitary, as well as struggle against corruption.