On Monday 2 October, Armenia's Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated that the signature of the partnership agreement between the EU and Armenia will be "one of the big results of the Eastern Partnership summit", in Brussels on 24 November. In an interview published in Armenian daily newspaper Aravot, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy Johannes Hahn was nevertheless more cautious as to the date for signing this agreement.
"I think it is still a bit early to say when [the agreement] will be signed, other than to say as quickly as possible. Within the EU, we are moving on to the final official approvals of our member states and we are checking the different language versions to ensure the consistency and certainty of the law", he said.
Speaking to press in Yerevan along with Nalbandian, Hahn underlined the interest of this agreement. He said that together with the priorities of the partnership agreed by the EU and Armenia (see EUROPE 11869), this agreement will "deepen cooperation" bilaterally. In Hahn's view, the agreement will show that Armenia can both be part of the Eurasian Union and have an "improved and comprehensive" relationship with the EU. "With this new agreement, the EU will help Armenia improve its regulatory climate, especially in the areas of trade and services, the establishment and operation of companies, public procurement, and also intellectual property law", he added, as well as underlining the importance of education and innovation.
Nalbandian meanwhile highlighted people-to-people contact, especially visa liberalisation and the fostering of mobility. He also underscored the extension of the trans-European transport network, the harmonisation of and reduction in roaming charges, and the financing of SMEs with local money. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)