Brussels, 28/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - Negotiations on visa facilitation and readmission are likely to be opened with Armenia at the start of 2012, Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner Stefan Füle announced on Friday 25 November. “We don't have an exact date for opening negotiations on visa facilitation. The Polish Presidency has pledged to have an agreement with the Council before the end of its term of office and, if it succeeds in this, negotiations could begin at the start of next year”, he indicated at the press conference following the EU-Armenia Cooperation Council.
Talks on a deep and comprehensive free-trade area with Armenia will be opened “as soon as Armenia fulfils the necessary conditions, as stated in the Commission's key recommendations”. Armenia and the EU also expressed their “satisfaction” with the on-going negotiations on the association agreement. The Cooperation Council noted “the new and ambitious reform efforts of Armenia”, bringing together important priorities of EU-Armenia relations. The EU confirmed its readiness to engage with Armenia in a partnership for reform, an important agreement based on a statement of intent and taking the form of a register to guide cooperation, particularly in the political sphere, Füle added.
On Monday 28 November, the European Commission adopted a programme that will further improve Public Finance Management (PFM) systems in Armenia. It will help improve public sector transparency and performance. (CG/transl.rt)