EU official hails Armenia’s progress in Association Agreement talks

PanARMENIAN.Net - On March 19-20, Yerevan hosted the 12th stage of Association Agreement talks, with deputy foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and European Commission's Director for Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia, Gunnar Wiegand briefing on the activities carried out.

Deputy minister Mnatsakanyan noted completion of the negotiations by the Eastern Partnership summit as the political goal.

“Agreements have been reached on major issues. I believe, the procedural stage will take another month,” he said, adding that Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area talks are also expected to be completed by the summit.

Armenian deputy minister further attached importance to the linkage between internal reforms and the association agendas.

“Our relations are based on universal values, implementation of EU norms and standards in Armenia,” Mnatsakanyan said, adding that the completion of the talks signal the start of the true work.

He stressed the need to develop an association agenda, with visa facilitation deal to be ratified soon.

“After pursuing a long path, we finally entered the final stage. We will establish close cooperation with your government. The document is expected to be preliminary inked by the end of the year, to be brought to fruition starting next year,” Mr Wiegand, in turn, said, adding that the initiative helps the EU to fulfill the pledges given to Eastern Neighborhood member-countries.

He voiced hope that significant progress will be recorded once the document enters the implementation stage, noting that the document will further be put on the parliament’s agenda.

“The agreement expresses the government’s will and the backing of social and political circles. It will facilitate the economic and social modernization,” the EU chief negotiator said.

Deputy Minister Mnatsakanyan said the structural development will ensure the implementation of the legislative package.

“This makes part of the agenda. Reforms imply new financial security,” he said.