May 6, 2009 - 19:33 AMT
Eastern Partnership to help Armenian become associate member
"Our political expectation from Eastern Partnership is to reach associate membership agreement, a short step from EU membership. But as realists, we do realize that we are not yet ready to join EU, and EU is not yet ready to admit us," RA Deputy Foreign Minister Karine Kazinyan told a news conference today. Mrs. Kazinyan said that "Over the past 10 years, we have been seeking cooperation with the Union and its member states."

"Eastern Partnership will enable us to establish political dialogue with other counties, develop economy and become a free trade zone. It's a great advantage although much depends on each country's progress. If they find us reliable partners, all questions will be solved much more easily," she said.

Eastern Partnership summit is due for May 7 in Prague. Armenia will be represented in person of President Serzh Sargsyan.