New accord between Armenia and EU to satisfy both –Donald Tusk
20.07.2015,
18:08
The new accord that Armenia and the EU will sign will satisfy both sides, the president of the European Council Donald Tusk said today in Yerevan.
YEREVAN, July 20. / ARKA /. The new accord that Armenia and the EU will sign will satisfy both sides, the president of the European Council Donald Tusk said today in Yerevan.
"The European Union wishes to strengthen cooperation with Armenia in all spheres of mutual interest. At the same time, we respect Armenia's choice to become a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Both the EU and Armenia will be fully satisfied when we finish our work on the new accord,' Tusk said Monday in Yerevan at a joint news briefing with Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan.
Tusk also said some changes should be made to EU-sponsored Eastern Partnership program to make its format comfortable to all involved countries, including Armenia.
"Europe's specialization is to help the neighboring countries, not to impose its proposals and decisions, to not show economic aggression,' said Tusk.
Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan, in turn, said when the Eastern Partnership was launched it was clear that approaches to member countries should be different.
"I could never understand how could members of the Eastern Partnership program, so different in nature, in terms of objectives and expectations, have discussions on a single package. If Azerbaijan has oil and gas, the EU can cooperate with it in this sphere. As for us we want to implement reforms, to promote democratic institutions, human rights and the rule of law,' he said.
Sargsyan suggested that Armenia and EU cooperate in this area, saying he could not imagine Armenia's advancement without reform, without the use of European experience and assistance.
He said Armenia, being a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, will continue to work closely with the EU.
Before September 3, 2013 Armenia was expected to sign an association agreement with the EU at a November summit of Eastern Partnership in Lithuania. However, on September 3 president Sargsyan said Armenia was joining the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, which on January 2 this year came into force as the Eurasian Economic Union.
Launched in 2009, the Eastern Partnership aimed to export European market democracy to six ex-Soviet countries Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova by offering co-operation and free trade in return for reforms.
Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova signed earlier this year association agreements with EU. As for Armenia and Belarus they are members of the Eurasian Economic Union together with Russia and Kazakhstan. -0-
"The European Union wishes to strengthen cooperation with Armenia in all spheres of mutual interest. At the same time, we respect Armenia's choice to become a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Both the EU and Armenia will be fully satisfied when we finish our work on the new accord,' Tusk said Monday in Yerevan at a joint news briefing with Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan.
Tusk also said some changes should be made to EU-sponsored Eastern Partnership program to make its format comfortable to all involved countries, including Armenia.
"Europe's specialization is to help the neighboring countries, not to impose its proposals and decisions, to not show economic aggression,' said Tusk.
Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan, in turn, said when the Eastern Partnership was launched it was clear that approaches to member countries should be different.
"I could never understand how could members of the Eastern Partnership program, so different in nature, in terms of objectives and expectations, have discussions on a single package. If Azerbaijan has oil and gas, the EU can cooperate with it in this sphere. As for us we want to implement reforms, to promote democratic institutions, human rights and the rule of law,' he said.
Sargsyan suggested that Armenia and EU cooperate in this area, saying he could not imagine Armenia's advancement without reform, without the use of European experience and assistance.
He said Armenia, being a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, will continue to work closely with the EU.
Before September 3, 2013 Armenia was expected to sign an association agreement with the EU at a November summit of Eastern Partnership in Lithuania. However, on September 3 president Sargsyan said Armenia was joining the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, which on January 2 this year came into force as the Eurasian Economic Union.
Launched in 2009, the Eastern Partnership aimed to export European market democracy to six ex-Soviet countries Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova by offering co-operation and free trade in return for reforms.
Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova signed earlier this year association agreements with EU. As for Armenia and Belarus they are members of the Eurasian Economic Union together with Russia and Kazakhstan. -0-
