The forthcoming parliamentary elections to become a litmus paper for the EU: European analyst

“In any case the EU will sign the negotiated agreement with Armenia,” Linas Kojala, representative of Policy Analysis and Research Department of  Eastern Europe Studies Centre (Vilnius), authoritative European analyst, told 168.am, reflecting to Armenia-EU negotiations.

Linas Kojala qualified negotiations around Armenia-EU new agreement rather productive, on account of the short period, during which negotiations will be terminated. “Naturally, it’s success, when the parties are already touching upon terminating the negotiations, as they were launched a year ago, and basically, will end in a few months. This means that there is an accord around main issues.

According to the latter, Armenia and the European Union (EU) are making a document, which will be lower by a grade from the Association Agreement (AA), which the EU has signed with Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine.

“I believe Armenia is assuming the same political responsibilities, as the three associated countries, except in the field of association trade, as in that field Armenia associated with Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). This is the reflection of the model proposed by the EU leadership after the Ukrainian crisis, i.e. Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries will build relations with the EU as they can and want. Armenia is currently doing the same. Time will show how proper this decision by the EU was,” the European analyst said.

According to the latter, Armenia and the EU will sign the negotiated agreement. “However, it’s difficult to say it’ll take place soon or prior to the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia, as those elections will become a litmus paper for the EU regarding political responsibilities assumed by Armenia. Despite Armenia’s    membership to EEU, pursuant the negotiated document Armenia is assuming political responsibilities in all fields related to holding elections as well.

If Armenia violates its liabilities, the EU will definitely reflect to that, as Armenia should fulfill its assumed responsibilities with the total volume,” the analyst said.

Asked how the EU will reflect to electoral violations in Armenia, Kojala replied that the EU toolset is rather large. “The EU may violate its responsibilities on signing the agreement, or may reduce financial assistance in some fields. The methods are different. I consider the EU in any case will sign the negotiated agreement with Armenia,” he said. He doesn’t think either that there will be preventions from the side of Armenia regarding signing the agreement, as it’s completely adapted to Armenia’s membership to EEU.

By Araks Martirosyan