One of the last phases of Armenia-EU negotiations to be launched soon
Armenia-EU negotiations are developing intensively. In future the sides will finalize works around new framework agreement. According to diplomatic sources of 168.am, one of the last phases of Armenia-EU negotiations—the tenth phase—will be launched this month.
According to information under our disposal maximum 2 negotiation phases will be necessary to finalize the negotiations, during which the sides will be required to conclude what was negotiated in the period of one year.
According to the sources of 168.am last phases of negotiations have been launched with no issues, also in the field of trade and investments, as basically, the Armenian side has shaped the whole document guided by its international liabilities within Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Our interlocutor hopes the forthcoming works will also be launched with no issues on account of this circumstance.
“Issues linked to negotiations are mostly clear to the sides, however, there is big uncertainty around the deadlines of signing the agreement. I consider it won’t take place in near future, although the Armenian side would like to sign the agreement right after the negotiations,” our interlocutor said.
Armenia and the EU have negotiated around the framework agreement for almost four years—2009-2013, however, after the negotiations following the meeting with Russian president Putin 3 September 2013 Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan unexpectedly announced that Yerevan will sign the document on joining Russia-led EEU, which supposes withdrawal from concluding the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU.
After the two-year break 12 October 2015 the Foreign Affairs Council authorized the European Commission and the High Representative to open negotiations on a new, legally binding and overarching agreement with Armenia, and adopted the corresponding negotiating mandate. Negotiations were officially launched 7 December 2015. The new agreement will replace the current EU-Armenia Partnership and Cooperation agreement.
By Araks Martirosyan
