EU is seeking for a new platform of cooperation with Armenia in the light of the country’s decision to join the Russia-led Customs Union, a Polish envoy said.
As Zdzisław Raczyński told a news conference, Armenia remains the EU partner in the Eastern Partnership program framework. However, he noted, in view of Armenia’s decision, the association with the EU in the manner planed became impossible, with EU searching for a new cooperation platform.
Dwelling on the oncoming Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius, the ambassador noted that Armenia is likely to join the memorandum to be issued based on the summit results. The envoy, however, ruled out the initialing of the association agreement without the deep and comprehensive free trade agreement, Armenia Today said.
Armenia completed technical talks on a ‘deep and comprehensive free-trade agreement' (DCFTA) with the EU in July and it was set to be signed at a summit with the EU in late November. In addition to a free-trade deal, Armenia has been working towards the signing of an association agreement with the EU, a framework agreement on co-operation that is seen as a first step towards political integration with the EU.
However, during a Sept 3 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Armenian leader Sargsyan said Armenia is ready to join Customs Union, with further plans to be involved in formation of the Eurasian Economic Union. Mr. Putin supported the initiative, vowing procedural assistance to Armenia.
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt described Armenia’s intention as a U-turn in relations with the European Union. “Seems as if Armenia will break talks on free trade agreement with EU and integrate with Russia instead,” he said.
Linas Linkevicius, the Foreign Minister of Lithuania, which holds the rotating EU presidency, said Armenia “has blocked its chances of signing a free trade deal with the European Union by choosing to join the Russia-led union.” “We respect any choice of countries but they cannot enter both organizations at the same time because of different tariff requirements,” he said.
However, Armenian leadership continues expression intention to expand ties with the EU, which won't contradict Armenia's CU membership.
"Armenia will take part in the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius and is ready to sign the Association Agreement," President Serzh Sargsyan said at the October 2 PACE session.
"No Armenia-EU document is being readied to be signed at a Vilnius summit," the spokesperson of the EU Commissioner Stefan Fule said. “We’re trying to find routes for further cooperation with Armenia, based on the existing achievements,” Peter Stano said.
