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Negotiating Directives For Association Agreements With South Caucasu

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  • Negotiating Directives For Association Agreements With South Caucasu

    NEGOTIATING DIRECTIVES FOR ASSOCIATION AGREEMENTS WITH SOUTH CAUCASUS COUNTRIES TO BE SUBMITTED TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL

    PanARMENIAN.Net
    April 30, 2010 - 19:40 AMT 14:40 GMT

    European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, Mr.
    Stefan Fule has said that the negotiating directives for Association
    Agreements with the South Caucasus countries will be presented for
    formal adoption at the Foreign Affairs Council on May 10.

    "This will pave the way for the EU side to prepare for the launch
    of negotiations. These Agreements will allow for close political
    association between each of the partners in the South Caucasus and
    the EU, building on common values and shared principles," he said in
    his address to the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs.

    "Closely linked to the Association Agreements, the EU's offer to
    establish deep and comprehensive free trade areas is also an immensely
    important opportunity for those South Caucasus countries that have
    fulfilled the preconditions. Such agreements of economic integration
    will provide access to the EU market of 500 million consumers and will
    help increasing trade flows and investments. The area of visas and
    facilitating the mobility of persons is a field where the partners
    in the South Caucasus are calling for more from the EU, feeling
    the pressure from citizens experiencing complicated and lengthy
    procedures. The visa facilitation and readmission agreements for
    Georgia have already successfully been negotiated. Georgians can soon
    benefit from lower fees and easier visa rules. Following the example
    of Georgia, Armenians and Azerbaijanis would similarly like to start
    discussions with the EU that will facilitate travelling for citizens,"
    Mr. Fule said.

    "It is clear that the demands are high from our partners in the
    South Caucasus. But so are also the EU's requirements on these
    partner countries to make sure that their legislation is in place
    and their administrative capacities strong enough to turn political
    ambitions into actual delivery of results. My message to the leaders
    in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia has been and will always be
    that the responsibility for the internal reform processes and the
    strengthening of democracy and rule of law lie firmly in the hands of
    the governments and politicians of those countries. The Commission will
    provide technical and financial assistance to help the partners meet
    their objectives notably through the new Comprehensive Institution
    Building programmes that we are designing together with our partners
    in the East," he said.
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