TALVITIE: THREE SOUTH CAUCASIAN COUNTRIES OF EQUAL SIGNIFICANCE TO EU

PanARMENIAN.Net - The three South Caucasian countries are of equal significance to the EU, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Heikki Talvitie stated at a joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian today. In his words, after "the rose revolution" in Georgia the EU paid more attention to that country to restore the infrastructure and democracy. The EU Special Representative stated that the program of actions aimed at intensification of the relations between Armenia and the EU within the Wider Europe: New Neighbors Program should be worked out before the end of 2005. As noted by Talvitie, after all the three South Caucasian countries present the programs, as well as within the framework of direct implementation of the program, an individual approach will be applied to each of those countries. Answering a question whether Armenia's participation in the EU program may develop into accession to the EU, Talvitie noted that Neighborhood program does not provide for accession of the South Caucasian states to the EU, however it does not deny this opportunity. Talvitie informed that after the plan of actions is ready Armenia and the EU will sign an agreement that will start implementation of the European policy of New Neighborhood. In his turn, Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian noted that the Neighborhood policy «is not a promise to enter the EU but a prospect.» Talvitie also appreciated the level of democracy in Armenia, as well as positively evaluated the process of reforms of the Constitution and the Electoral Code.