Customs Union, European Free Trade Association to negotiate creation of free trade zoneNovember 22, 2010 - 16:34 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - On November 23, official negotiations between Customs Union states and European Free Trade Association on creation of free trade zone will be launched in Geneva. The idea of free trade zone creation was initiated by Russia. The parties are expected to reach an agreement on cooperation in the spheres of trade, services, investments, competition and intellectual property protection, vesti.kz reported. Current members of European Free Trade Association (EFTA), customs union and trading block are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Customs union became the second EFTA partner, who entered into negotiations with Kazakhstan and Belarus, presented as a single regional block. EFTA strives towards goals: to establish free trade among members and to seek a broader economic union with the rest of Western Europe. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Armenian delegation participating in NATO PA session The delegation is headed by Andranik Kocharyan, the chairman of the standing committee on defense and security matters. Schengen visa cost won’t change for Armenia – diplomat The increase in the cost of a Schengen visa will not apply to citizens of Armenia, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson has said. Azerbaijan's defense spending set to increase by 11% Azerbaijan's spending on defense and national security will increase by 11%, according to a fresh bill. Armenian PM’s helicopter makes emergency landing in Vanadzor The helicopter transporting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made an emergency landing in Vanadzor. |