May 22, 2015 - 15:40 AMT
Latvia FM: visa liberalization with EU possible in Armenia

Latvian Foreign Minister commented on the progress of negotiations for the Armenia-EU framework agreement in an interview with Russia’s Kommersant daily.

“We’ll be trying to find a compromise between Armenia’s obligations as an Eurasian Economic Union member and the country’s partnership with the EU,” Edgars Rinkevics said.

“We’re ready to start talks with Armenia based on the agreements reached in 2013, i.e. draft association agreement, with the main difference being Armenia's new EEU membership. So we'll try to find ways for Armenia's EEU membership not to clash with the development of ties with the EU,” the Minister said.

Commenting on possible repercussions of lifting visa requirements for Georgia, Rinkevics noted, “all of our partners will be given an opportunity for visa liberalization. We achieved certain progress with Armenia and Azerbaijan. So if the latters agree, and meet all the criteria, I do not see an impediment for visa liberalization there. ”