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ARMENIA-EU: RELATIONS GOING SOUR AFTER SEPTEMBER 3 WATERSHED
http://armenianow.com/commentary/analysis/51939/armenia_european_union_relations
ANALYSIS | 12.02.14 | 10:12
Photolure
By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent
An unpleasant atmosphere has been established in the relations
between Armenia and the European Union, said member of the EU-Armenia
Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, member of the Armenian National
Congress faction Nikol Pashinyan.
On February 5-6, the Committee had a meeting in Strasbourg and for
the first time it failed to sign a joint statement.
According to the head of the Armenian delegation to the Committee
Samvel Farmanyan, who represents the ruling Republican Party of
Armenia, the draft joint document was unacceptable for the Armenian
side due to lack of references to "the right to self-determination"
in the settlement of the Karabakh problem.
However, the opposition members of the Committee insist that Armenia
did not sign the statement in order not to spoil relations with Moscow
and demonstrate its commitment to Eurasian integration.
Boris Navasardyan, who coordinates the Eastern Partnership Civil
Society Forum in Armenia, told ArmeniaNow that European institutions
also have not defined the format of relations with Armenia. "In
2011-13, surprisingly for entire Europe, Armenia demonstrated a
high rate of negotiation and preparation of documents related to
European integration. Even for the deputies that are unfavorably
configured towards Armenia and are often objects of Azerbaijan's
'caviar diplomacy' it was difficult to realize their political
orders. After September 3 (when Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
stated about the decision to join the Customs Union) the situation
changed, and now very few European lawmakers have incentives to resist
the Azerbaijani-Turkish lobby," said Navasardyan.
At the same time, the European Union has preserved financial assistance
to Armenia and in 2014 it will allocate about EUR 40 million (about
$54.5 million) as budget support. The condition for the allocation of
the grant is reforms in the justice sector. In addition, the European
Union has announced the development of a new package of proposals
for the Eastern Partnership countries, including for Armenia.
During a recent visit to Prague President Sargsyan said that Armenia
does not reject association with Europe and is ready to sign a relevant
agreement but without its economic part concerning the establishment
of a deep and comprehensive free trade area with the EU.
In Europe, they still do not imagine such a format of association,
however, they do not cease attempts to demonstrate the benefits of
European integration and the damage of Eurasian one.
http://armenianow.com/commentary/analysis/51939/armenia_european_union_relations
ANALYSIS | 12.02.14 | 10:12
Photolure
By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent
An unpleasant atmosphere has been established in the relations
between Armenia and the European Union, said member of the EU-Armenia
Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, member of the Armenian National
Congress faction Nikol Pashinyan.
On February 5-6, the Committee had a meeting in Strasbourg and for
the first time it failed to sign a joint statement.
According to the head of the Armenian delegation to the Committee
Samvel Farmanyan, who represents the ruling Republican Party of
Armenia, the draft joint document was unacceptable for the Armenian
side due to lack of references to "the right to self-determination"
in the settlement of the Karabakh problem.
However, the opposition members of the Committee insist that Armenia
did not sign the statement in order not to spoil relations with Moscow
and demonstrate its commitment to Eurasian integration.
Boris Navasardyan, who coordinates the Eastern Partnership Civil
Society Forum in Armenia, told ArmeniaNow that European institutions
also have not defined the format of relations with Armenia. "In
2011-13, surprisingly for entire Europe, Armenia demonstrated a
high rate of negotiation and preparation of documents related to
European integration. Even for the deputies that are unfavorably
configured towards Armenia and are often objects of Azerbaijan's
'caviar diplomacy' it was difficult to realize their political
orders. After September 3 (when Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
stated about the decision to join the Customs Union) the situation
changed, and now very few European lawmakers have incentives to resist
the Azerbaijani-Turkish lobby," said Navasardyan.
At the same time, the European Union has preserved financial assistance
to Armenia and in 2014 it will allocate about EUR 40 million (about
$54.5 million) as budget support. The condition for the allocation of
the grant is reforms in the justice sector. In addition, the European
Union has announced the development of a new package of proposals
for the Eastern Partnership countries, including for Armenia.
During a recent visit to Prague President Sargsyan said that Armenia
does not reject association with Europe and is ready to sign a relevant
agreement but without its economic part concerning the establishment
of a deep and comprehensive free trade area with the EU.
In Europe, they still do not imagine such a format of association,
however, they do not cease attempts to demonstrate the benefits of
European integration and the damage of Eurasian one.