Armenia should identify possible areas where it can deepen relations with EU- Lithuanian diplomat says

A delegation of the EU’s Eastern Partnership Program arrived in Armenia on October 21 to discuss with its authorities future bilateral cooperation. In an exclusive interview with ARKA news agency Inga Stanita-Tolockiene, the head of a Lithuanian foreign ministry’s department in charge of relations with the Eastern Partnership member countries, spoke about the purpose of the visit and  Armenia-EU bilateral relations development after Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union.

ARKA - What is the purpose of the visit to Armenia by representatives of the Eastern Partnership Program? 

Inga Stanite-Tolockiene - We want to hear what Armenian authorities think about how Armenia and the EU should build their future relationships. The European Union does not look at these relationships as simply a choice between Russia and itself.  Of course, there are possible solutions that could help Armenia’s movement not only towards Russia, but also towards some areas of cooperation with the EU. The emphasis may be placed on the transformation and modernization of the economy. Given Armenia’s new partners in the Eurasian Economic Union I think that there are areas where it could adopt the standards of the European Union. 

ARKA - How will relations between Armenia and the European Union develop under new conditions- after its entry into the Eurasian Economic Union? 

Inga Stanite-Tolockiene - I think that the most important thing for Armenia now is to identify its  interests. So far we have not felt a clearly expressed will to move in one or another area. This is understandable, because Armenia has just joined the Eurasian Union, so it is necessary to understand what her obligations to the Eurasian Economic Union are and in what areas it can deepen relations with the EU. This is a time of self-determination for Armenia and we hope that this period will not last long. It is Armenia rather than the EU that can benefit from facilitation of visa regime with EU as even within the European Union there are different views on the freedom of movement. 

ARKA - How do you see the future of relations between the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union? 

Inga Stanite-Tolockiene - This is a two-way question. Firstly, the European Union has to decide on its position, the same should be done by the Eurasian Economic Union. For example, the free trade proposal that has long been on the agenda of the EU and Russia.  Russia is talking about "from Lisbon to Vladivostok", but when it comes to free trade, it is not in a hurry to go that route. 

ARKA- Will the Western policy of sanctions against Russia affect other members of the Eurasian Economic Union when it comes into force on January one next year?

Inga Stanite-Tolockiene – Western sanctions have a very specific task. This is the West's reaction to what is happening in Ukraine. These sanctions are aimed only at Russia and do not relate to other members of the Eurasian Economic Union. As to whether other members of the Union will join Russian sanctions against the West  that will depend on the willingness of Armenia and  other members of the Union, but so far neither Belarus nor Kazakhstan have expressed much enthusiasm in this regard. 

ARKA –What is your vision about the resolution of the situation in Ukraine? 

Inga  Stanite-Tolockiene - The situation, of course, is quite serious. Much depends on the unity of the West - if  it is able to advance the principle  which countries should use to choose their own paths. Much will also depend on the dynamics in Russia and on the decision-making there. The West has already made quite a lot of compromises that were difficult to imagine six months ago. For example, the decision to postpone the creation of a free trade zone between Ukraine and the EU until 2016. It's pretty far-reaching compromise. Let's see how Russia will realize that this is a compromise and whether it will use it as an opportunity to solve this crisis in a way that would be beneficial for all parties. 

ARKA - How long will the sanctions last in view of the agreements signed in Minsk. What is the effectiveness of sanctions in general? 

Inga Stanite-Tolockiene - We think that the sanctions are effective. Russia, of course,  argues that there is no effect. But we are already seeing investments outflows from Russia. The long-term effect  is obvious. The sanctions play a preventive role. Duration of sanctions will depend on Russia. Now, there is the Minsk agreement, and once Russia fulfills its obligations in this regard, sanctions will be lifted. Of course, everyone is paying for the sanctions, but they are not an end in itself. As soon as there is the  opportunity to stop their application  it will be done, but at the moment there is no reason to do so.-0-