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Armenia, EU likely to sign political document in Riga - experts
13:14 * 29.03.15
Political scientist Levon Shirinyan and political analyst Styopa
Safaryan talked to Tert.am about the Eastern Partnership Summit to
take place in Riga, Latvia, on Mat 21-22.
Although Armenia is part of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), the
signing of a political document in Riga is not ruled out.
"It is obvious, that after September 3, 2014, Europe does not want to
deny cooperation to Armenia," Mr Shirinyan said.
He forecasts qualified success at the Riga Summit.
"I have no doubts about political success. The level of political
cooperation with Europe will remain unchanged and may even be raised.
Favorable preconditions for economic cooperation with Europe will be
created as well," Mr Shirinyan said.
He is inclined to think that by cooperating with Russia Armenia could
become a window Russia needs very much. If Russia is able to perform
this function, he hopes Armenia will succeed.
Armenia should counterbalance its security problems with relations
with the West and Europe.
Speaking of Armenia's expectations about the planned Riga summit, Mr
Safaryan said that the only problem is whether Brussels and Yerevan
are ready to sign a document that would restore Armenia's cooperation
with the European Union (EU) in humanitarian, human rights protection,
democracy and other areas.
"In this respect it is clear that no issues of paramount importance
can be negotiated now. Armenia and the European Union negotiated and
agreed on much deeper documents. I mean the Association Agreement and
the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement," Mr Safaryan
said.
However, the Russia-West confrontation was not so serious when Armenia
was negotiating the Association Agreement.
"So I fear that whether we can sign a soft-language document without
predicting Russia's reaction," Mr Safaryan said.
He is for a document to be signed because Armenia has lately voiced
its discontent with Russian-Azerbaijani military cooperation and is
not only trying to establish a legal framework for its relations with
other partners - China, the European Union - but is well aware of the
need to ensure its own security in the international relations system.
"Armenia is highlighting resumption of relations with Brussels on a
new basis," Mr Safaryan concluded.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2015/03/29/shirinyan/1631019
From: A. Papazian
13:14 * 29.03.15
Political scientist Levon Shirinyan and political analyst Styopa
Safaryan talked to Tert.am about the Eastern Partnership Summit to
take place in Riga, Latvia, on Mat 21-22.
Although Armenia is part of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), the
signing of a political document in Riga is not ruled out.
"It is obvious, that after September 3, 2014, Europe does not want to
deny cooperation to Armenia," Mr Shirinyan said.
He forecasts qualified success at the Riga Summit.
"I have no doubts about political success. The level of political
cooperation with Europe will remain unchanged and may even be raised.
Favorable preconditions for economic cooperation with Europe will be
created as well," Mr Shirinyan said.
He is inclined to think that by cooperating with Russia Armenia could
become a window Russia needs very much. If Russia is able to perform
this function, he hopes Armenia will succeed.
Armenia should counterbalance its security problems with relations
with the West and Europe.
Speaking of Armenia's expectations about the planned Riga summit, Mr
Safaryan said that the only problem is whether Brussels and Yerevan
are ready to sign a document that would restore Armenia's cooperation
with the European Union (EU) in humanitarian, human rights protection,
democracy and other areas.
"In this respect it is clear that no issues of paramount importance
can be negotiated now. Armenia and the European Union negotiated and
agreed on much deeper documents. I mean the Association Agreement and
the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement," Mr Safaryan
said.
However, the Russia-West confrontation was not so serious when Armenia
was negotiating the Association Agreement.
"So I fear that whether we can sign a soft-language document without
predicting Russia's reaction," Mr Safaryan said.
He is for a document to be signed because Armenia has lately voiced
its discontent with Russian-Azerbaijani military cooperation and is
not only trying to establish a legal framework for its relations with
other partners - China, the European Union - but is well aware of the
need to ensure its own security in the international relations system.
"Armenia is highlighting resumption of relations with Brussels on a
new basis," Mr Safaryan concluded.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2015/03/29/shirinyan/1631019
From: A. Papazian