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ARMENIA SHOULD IDENTIFY POSSIBLE AREAS WHERE IT CAN DEEPEN RELATIONS WITH EU- LITHUANIAN DIPLOMAT SAYS
A delegation of the EU's Eastern Partnership Program arrived in
Armenia on October 21 to discuss with its authorities future bilateral
cooperation. In an exclusive interview with ARKA news agency Inga
Stanita-Tolockiene, the head of a Lithuanian foreign ministry's
department in charge of relations with the Eastern Partnership member
countries, spoke about the purpose of the visit and Armenia-EU
bilateral relations development after Armenia's accession to the
Eurasian Economic Union.
ARKA - What is the purpose of the visit to Armenia by representatives
of the Eastern Partnership Program?
Inga Stanite-Tolockiene - We want to hear what Armenian authorities
think about how Armenia and the EU should build their future
relationships. The European Union does not look at these relationships
as simply a choice between Russia and itself. Of course, there are
possible solutions that could help Armenia's movement not only towards
Russia, but also towards some areas of cooperation with the EU. The
emphasis may be placed on the transformation and modernization of the
economy. Given Armenia's new partners in the Eurasian Economic Union
I think that there are areas where it could adopt the standards of
the European Union.
ARKA - How will relations between Armenia and the European Union
develop under new conditions- after its entry into the Eurasian
Economic Union?
Inga Stanite-Tolockiene - I think that the most important thing for
Armenia now is to identify its interests. So far we have not felt
a clearly expressed will to move in one or another area. This is
understandable, because Armenia has just joined the Eurasian Union,
so it is necessary to understand what her obligations to the Eurasian
Economic Union are and in what areas it can deepen relations with the
EU. This is a time of self-determination for Armenia and we hope that
this period will not last long. It is Armenia rather than the EU that
can benefit from facilitation of visa regime with EU as even within the
European Union there are different views on the freedom of movement.
ARKA - How do you see the future of relations between the European
Union and the Eurasian Economic Union?
Inga Stanite-Tolockiene - This is a two-way question. Firstly,
the European Union has to decide on its position, the same should
be done by the Eurasian Economic Union. For example, the free trade
proposal that has long been on the agenda of the EU and Russia. Russia
is talking about "from Lisbon to Vladivostok", but when it comes to
free trade, it is not in a hurry to go that route.
ARKA- Will the Western policy of sanctions against Russia affect other
members of the Eurasian Economic Union when it comes into force on
January one next year?
Inga Stanite-Tolockiene - Western sanctions have a very specific task.
This is the West's reaction to what is happening in Ukraine. These
sanctions are aimed only at Russia and do not relate to other members
of the Eurasian Economic Union. As to whether other members of the
Union will join Russian sanctions against the West that will depend
on the willingness of Armenia and other members of the Union, but so
far neither Belarus nor Kazakhstan have expressed much enthusiasm in
this regard.
ARKA -What is your vision about the resolution of the situation
in Ukraine?
Inga Stanite-Tolockiene - The situation, of course, is quite serious.
Much depends on the unity of the West - if it is able to advance the
principle which countries should use to choose their own paths. Much
will also depend on the dynamics in Russia and on the decision-making
there. The West has already made quite a lot of compromises that
were difficult to imagine six months ago. For example, the decision
to postpone the creation of a free trade zone between Ukraine and
the EU until 2016. It's pretty far-reaching compromise. Let's see
how Russia will realize that this is a compromise and whether it will
use it as an opportunity to solve this crisis in a way that would be
beneficial for all parties.
ARKA - How long will the sanctions last in view of the agreements
signed in Minsk. What is the effectiveness of sanctions in general?
Inga Stanite-Tolockiene - We think that the sanctions are effective.
Russia, of course, argues that there is no effect. But we are already
seeing investments outflows from Russia. The long-term effect is
obvious. The sanctions play a preventive role. Duration of sanctions
will depend on Russia. Now, there is the Minsk agreement, and once
Russia fulfills its obligations in this regard, sanctions will be
lifted. Of course, everyone is paying for the sanctions, but they
are not an end in itself. As soon as there is the opportunity to
stop their application it will be done, but at the moment there is
no reason to do so.-0-
http://arka.am/en/news/politics/armenia_should_identify_possible_areas_where_it_ca n_deepen_relations_with_eu_lithuanian_diplomat_say/#sthash.nb9y3Yie.dpuf
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
A delegation of the EU's Eastern Partnership Program arrived in
Armenia on October 21 to discuss with its authorities future bilateral
cooperation. In an exclusive interview with ARKA news agency Inga
Stanita-Tolockiene, the head of a Lithuanian foreign ministry's
department in charge of relations with the Eastern Partnership member
countries, spoke about the purpose of the visit and Armenia-EU
bilateral relations development after Armenia's accession to the
Eurasian Economic Union.
ARKA - What is the purpose of the visit to Armenia by representatives
of the Eastern Partnership Program?
Inga Stanite-Tolockiene - We want to hear what Armenian authorities
think about how Armenia and the EU should build their future
relationships. The European Union does not look at these relationships
as simply a choice between Russia and itself. Of course, there are
possible solutions that could help Armenia's movement not only towards
Russia, but also towards some areas of cooperation with the EU. The
emphasis may be placed on the transformation and modernization of the
economy. Given Armenia's new partners in the Eurasian Economic Union
I think that there are areas where it could adopt the standards of
the European Union.
ARKA - How will relations between Armenia and the European Union
develop under new conditions- after its entry into the Eurasian
Economic Union?
Inga Stanite-Tolockiene - I think that the most important thing for
Armenia now is to identify its interests. So far we have not felt
a clearly expressed will to move in one or another area. This is
understandable, because Armenia has just joined the Eurasian Union,
so it is necessary to understand what her obligations to the Eurasian
Economic Union are and in what areas it can deepen relations with the
EU. This is a time of self-determination for Armenia and we hope that
this period will not last long. It is Armenia rather than the EU that
can benefit from facilitation of visa regime with EU as even within the
European Union there are different views on the freedom of movement.
ARKA - How do you see the future of relations between the European
Union and the Eurasian Economic Union?
Inga Stanite-Tolockiene - This is a two-way question. Firstly,
the European Union has to decide on its position, the same should
be done by the Eurasian Economic Union. For example, the free trade
proposal that has long been on the agenda of the EU and Russia. Russia
is talking about "from Lisbon to Vladivostok", but when it comes to
free trade, it is not in a hurry to go that route.
ARKA- Will the Western policy of sanctions against Russia affect other
members of the Eurasian Economic Union when it comes into force on
January one next year?
Inga Stanite-Tolockiene - Western sanctions have a very specific task.
This is the West's reaction to what is happening in Ukraine. These
sanctions are aimed only at Russia and do not relate to other members
of the Eurasian Economic Union. As to whether other members of the
Union will join Russian sanctions against the West that will depend
on the willingness of Armenia and other members of the Union, but so
far neither Belarus nor Kazakhstan have expressed much enthusiasm in
this regard.
ARKA -What is your vision about the resolution of the situation
in Ukraine?
Inga Stanite-Tolockiene - The situation, of course, is quite serious.
Much depends on the unity of the West - if it is able to advance the
principle which countries should use to choose their own paths. Much
will also depend on the dynamics in Russia and on the decision-making
there. The West has already made quite a lot of compromises that
were difficult to imagine six months ago. For example, the decision
to postpone the creation of a free trade zone between Ukraine and
the EU until 2016. It's pretty far-reaching compromise. Let's see
how Russia will realize that this is a compromise and whether it will
use it as an opportunity to solve this crisis in a way that would be
beneficial for all parties.
ARKA - How long will the sanctions last in view of the agreements
signed in Minsk. What is the effectiveness of sanctions in general?
Inga Stanite-Tolockiene - We think that the sanctions are effective.
Russia, of course, argues that there is no effect. But we are already
seeing investments outflows from Russia. The long-term effect is
obvious. The sanctions play a preventive role. Duration of sanctions
will depend on Russia. Now, there is the Minsk agreement, and once
Russia fulfills its obligations in this regard, sanctions will be
lifted. Of course, everyone is paying for the sanctions, but they
are not an end in itself. As soon as there is the opportunity to
stop their application it will be done, but at the moment there is
no reason to do so.-0-
http://arka.am/en/news/politics/armenia_should_identify_possible_areas_where_it_ca n_deepen_relations_with_eu_lithuanian_diplomat_say/#sthash.nb9y3Yie.dpuf
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress