Armenia-EU negotiations to be finalized next year: Johannes Hahn and Edward Nalbandian summarized the results

“After Armenia-EU negotiations Armenia will be ready to sign the new framework agreement,” Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian told reporters today, touching upon negotiations around Armenia-EU new framework agreement.

In his turn, Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, expressed hope that Armenia and the EU will finalize negotiations around the framework agreement during the forthcoming year, after which the EU will pass on to procedural activities with the participation of 28 EU member countries.

Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian reminded that negotiations were launched in December 2015. In his words, in this period the sides have held 6 stage of negotiations, which, in his assessment, have been successful. According to the Minister, next stage of negotiations will be held this December.

“After 2-3 more stages we’ll finalize the negotiations, I don’t consider that more will be required. As soon as we finalize the negotiations, Armenia will be ready to sign the agreement. The EU will need the process of internal accord. We are sure, that the process will be speedy and the EU will be ready to sign, and we’ll sign that framework agreement. The most important is that we want that the new agreement fully reflected the quality, depth, volume of relations, that we have. We’re working on it. It’ll be recorded very soon, as Mr. Hahn said,” Nalbandian noted.

To the question what’s the difference between the document under negotiation and the Association Agreement (AA) not signed 2 years ago, E.Nalbandian replied, that there is intention to include the maximal in the new framework agreement. The Minister also reminded that prior to EaP Vilnius summit they exchanged letters with the EU Commissioner Ashton, which clearly read that, yes, they’re ready to go in all directions, meaning Armenia’s responsibilities in other integration processes. Minister Nalbandian stressed, that the intention is that the framework agreement reflected essence and depth, high level of our relations, which is currently existent.

By Araks Martirosyan