EAFJD supports Armenia's closer integration with European structures

PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Armenian Federation commends closer integration of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus with the European structures.



"The accession prospect remains distant, differentiated according to the progresses of the States but it has never been affirmed so explicitly beforehand. It is a plus for Europe which is well-perceived in the region but which is reputed to ask much and to offer few," stated Laurent Leylekian, the EAFJD executive director.



Yet, the initiative gave rise to the reluctance of the European Commission. Mrs Ferrero-Waldner, the Commissioner for External Relations expressed her preference for the classical approach of both Southern and Eastern ENP, with an individualized treatment country by country, saying that she sees "no added value" to the new approach.



Though supported by some MEPs, the Commission's position led to criticism by some others. Mrs Isler-Beguin, co-chairperson of the Interparliamentary delegation with the South Caucasus stated that she cannot imagine "how those countries could integrate more and more and to comply with the criteria by the EU without a clear accession prospect".



"The initiative is still fruitful: this meeting was for instance the first one in which Georgia and Azerbaijan overcame the frozen conflicts issue to address European issues," commented Leylekian.