German ambassador says idea of donor conference should be revised
04.10.2013,
10:29
German ambassador to Armenia, Rainer Morel said October 3 that the idea of holding a conference of international donors that should approve large-scale economic assistance to Armenia, should be revised, given Armenia’s refusal to initial the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement (DCFTA), a component of the Association Agreement and its declared intention to join the Russia-led Customs Union.
YEREVAN, October 4. / ARKA /. German ambassador to Armenia, Rainer Morel said October 3 that the idea of holding a conference of international donors that should approve large-scale economic assistance to Armenia, should be revised, given Armenia’s refusal to initial the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement (DCFTA), a component of the Association Agreement and its declared intention to join the Russia-led Customs Union.
Speaking at a news conference, the ambassador said the idea of a donor conference was contingent on Armenia’s initialing the agreement on a deep and comprehensive free trade area, and since the current status of relations between Armenia and the EU needs to be revised, this component should also be revised.
He said a donor conference is not now among the near future objectives of the EU.
“We have not yet received concrete proposals from the Armenian authorities; so there is still time and we can discuss the present and future issues,’ said the ambassador.
The EU first expressed readiness to organize such a forum in late 2011. Visiting Yerevan in July 2012, EU President Herman Van Rompuy indicated that it was contingent also on the proper conduct of Armenia’s February 2013 presidential election.
The ballot, which gave President Serzh Sarkisian a second term in office, was praised by the EU for “further progress” made by the Armenian authorities towards holding democratic elections. -0-
