Armenia hopes to start talks on new agreement with European Union before the end of 2015, Nalbandian
20.11.2015,
18:34
Armenia’s foreign minister Edward Nalbandian expressed hope that negotiations with the European Union on a new bilateral framework agreement will begin before the end of 2015.
YEREVAN, November 20. /ARKA/. Armenia’s foreign minister Edward Nalbandian expressed hope that negotiations with the European Union on a new bilateral framework agreement will begin before the end of 2015.
He said at the Eastern Partnership summits in Vilnius and Riga Armenia reaffirmed its commitment to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation with the EU.
‘On October 13, EU Foreign Affairs Council authorized the European Commission and the High Representative to open negotiations on a new legal basis for relations with Armenia,’ said Nalbandian in an interview with "Aravot" (Morning) daily.
"As for the schedule (of the talks), we mutually hope that they will begin before the end of this year. I think that, based on our experience of negotiations with the European Union, we have a good basis to move forward in quick steps in these talks,’ he added.
He said both Armenia and the European Union have always stated their readiness to develop and strengthen all-round cooperation in all areas of mutual importance.
Armenia and the EU were supposed to sign the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) at a 2013 November Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius but on September 3 Armenia’s president Serzh Sargsyan announced that the country was going to become part of the Russian-led Customs Union.
In early October the EU Foreign Affairs Council authorized the European Commission and the High Representative to open negotiations on a new legal basis for relations with Armenia. The new agreement will replace the current agreement on partnership and cooperation between the EU and Armenia. The official launch of the negotiations is expected later this year. -0-
He said at the Eastern Partnership summits in Vilnius and Riga Armenia reaffirmed its commitment to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation with the EU.
‘On October 13, EU Foreign Affairs Council authorized the European Commission and the High Representative to open negotiations on a new legal basis for relations with Armenia,’ said Nalbandian in an interview with "Aravot" (Morning) daily.
"As for the schedule (of the talks), we mutually hope that they will begin before the end of this year. I think that, based on our experience of negotiations with the European Union, we have a good basis to move forward in quick steps in these talks,’ he added.
He said both Armenia and the European Union have always stated their readiness to develop and strengthen all-round cooperation in all areas of mutual importance.
Armenia and the EU were supposed to sign the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) at a 2013 November Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius but on September 3 Armenia’s president Serzh Sargsyan announced that the country was going to become part of the Russian-led Customs Union.
In early October the EU Foreign Affairs Council authorized the European Commission and the High Representative to open negotiations on a new legal basis for relations with Armenia. The new agreement will replace the current agreement on partnership and cooperation between the EU and Armenia. The official launch of the negotiations is expected later this year. -0-
