November 27, 2008 - 15:55 AMT
EU doesn't compel countries to European integration
Some 10 years ago, South Caucasus countries were far away from the European Union, according to the head of delegation of the European Commission to Armenia.

"At that time, we created a new vision for cooperation with eastern partners and launched the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP), although it was not an easy move," Mr. Raul de Luzenberger said during 'European Union and South Caucasus - A Security Partnership?' international conference in Yerevan today.

"Despite various differences between EU members and partners, there is also much in common," he said.

"We offered our partners to use our experience in democracy and security building. Each partner was offered a joint reform program. The Action Plan is a package of proposals, implementation of which in corpore can produce effect," Mr. de Luzenberger said, adding that the EU compel countries to European integration and it's up to the partners whether they want to get close to Union or not.