Vilnius, 29/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, speaking on behalf of the EU, and Armenia's Foreign Minister Edouard Nalbandian, speaking on behalf of his country, agreed on 29 November during the Eastern Partnership meeting how important it was to “update the existing basis of their relations” in relation to their common objective to build on the existing cooperation framework, at a time when Armenia has decided to join the customs union with Russia. The updating of the basis of EU-Armenia relations is also embodied in the Eastern Partnership joint declaration. Underlining that they cannot proceed to initialling the association agreement for which talks have ended due to new international commitments by Armenia, Ashton and Nalbandian agree there is a need to update the EU-Armenia action plan.
The EU and Armenia have also undertaken to strengthen cooperation aimed at the constant improvement of democratic institutions and justice, the promotion of human rights and the rule of law, good governance, the fight against corruption, the strengthening of civil society, continued improvement of the framework for strengthening trade and investment, and continued implementation of the partnership for mobility and greater sectoral cooperation. “The EU and Armenia have today reconfirmed their commitment to further develop and strengthen their cooperation in all areas of mutual interest within the Eastern Partnership framework, stressing the importance of reviewing and updating the existing basis of their relations”, added Ashton and Nalbandian.
A French source explained that, on trade cooperation, one will have to wait and see what the customs union turns out to be before knowing whether it will or not be compatible. “It is necessary to see whether it is technically possible (…) and what margin of sovereignty Armenia will keep”, the source explained. (CG/transl.jl)