Maja Kocijancic: «The EU is ready to take forward not only the political side of its relations with Armenia»

The ambassador of Federal Republic of Germany in Armenia Reiner Morell had given an interview to the Armenian resource News.am ,where he had stated, that Armenia can still sign the so-called political part of the Association agreement with the EU, even if Armenia joins the Customs Union.

In this connection, we addressed a few questions to the spokesperson of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union Catherine Ashton: Maja Kocijancic.

– How would you assess the statement by Reiner Morell? Is this possible or not? and if yes, in what terms can it be signed?

–  We have committed in Vilnius to further develop and strengthen comprehensive cooperation with Armenia in all areas of mutual interest within the Eastern Partnership.

– Can this be within the framework of the non-paper document called «20 points on the Eastern Partnership post-Vilnius» https://en.168.am/2014/02/14/1057.html, discussed by 13 member-states of the EU, where there was a point that the EU can «ellaborate  a differentiated concept («PCA+») for the less ambitious EaPpartner countries (in the first instance for Armenia)»? 

–  The EU is following closely developments related to Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union, as well as the reflections on the establishment of the Eurasian Union. Both processes will naturally have to be taken into consideration when rethinking EU-Armenia relations. We expect Armenia to tell us more precisely what are their limitations deriving from their Customs Union commitments.

– And, in generall, how do you see the future cooperation between Armenia and the EU and in which format?

–  Despite not being able to pursue the Association Agreement including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (AA/DCFTA), the EU is ready to take forward not only the political side of its relations with Armenia, but also its trade relationship. We can build on what we have achieved so far, while adjusting it to the opportunities and ambitions of our future cooperation and to Armenia’s future commitments deriving from its Customs Union participation.

By Aram Sargsyan