Armenia to be challenged with introducing European standards within next 2-3 years- PM

YEREVAN, May 16. /ARKA/. Armenia will need to be very scrupulous to introduce European standards in the country within the next 2-3 years, according to the article written by Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan in Russian Vedomosti newspaper. 

“Armenia and EU have recently set in motion the process of signing an agreement on a deep and comprehensive free trade area. Everyone knows that European standards dictate high level for producing, storing, transporting and selling goods,” the Prime Minister noted. 

According to him, in order to not fall short of the standards, Armenia has to change technical and technological processes, domestic control management and trading cycles- economy should face some serious modifications. 

“We should make our legislative field, control over food security meeting European standards, and this is the aim of our negotiations with the EU,” he pointed out.

Sargsyan noted that Armenia will have to face really required but tense process, as the country’s consumers must have no doubts of the quality level of the goods produced in Armenia. 

He said the Accords on free trade area with the EU will enable Armenia to increase export and import, while reducing foreign trade deficit significantly. Ukraine and Moldova also intend to enter the free trade area with Europe what is important for Armenia, as the country has a serious potential for entering the global market as producing eco-goods, he clarified. 

The free trade area talks between Armenia and EU Commission for Trade, made up of 27 member states, were formally opened on February 29. The agreement would entitle Armenia to diversify the export structure and enter the European market under the favorable conditions. 

On January 1, 2009, Armenia became one of the states that enjoy GSP+ (Generalized System of Preferences) for three years. GSP+, offered to a restricted number of states that meet European criteria and requirements, allows the countries to export about 6,400 product items to the European market at reduced tariffs or with exemption from customs duties. 

The association talks between Armenia and EU were formally opened on July 19, 2010. —0-