EUROPEAN UNION ASSESS ARMENIA’S PROGRESS
By M. Alkhazashvili
(Translated by Diana Dundua)

The Messenger, Georgia
Sept 25 2007

Armenia has an important position in EU priorities, said Raul De
Lutzenberger, EU Charge d’Affaires of the Delegation of the European
Commission to Armenia, at a press conference in Yerevan on September
22.

The EU is content with Armenian reforms undertaken in the framework
of the European Neighborhood Policy, he stated, and is considering
liberalizing trade relations with Armenia.

Commenting on the policies of Armenia’s neighbors, which appear to be
economically isolating the country, Lutzenberger said, "The EU cannot
oblige cooperation to anyone, it can only assist those countries that
want to collaborate themselves."

Deputy Armenian Foreign Minister Armen Baiburtian stated that the
EU-Armenian relationship is reaching a new stage and that an agreement
on visa regime simplification would soon be signed.

However the EU representative said that Armenia would first need to
regulate its migration rates.

On the topics of human rights and democracy, Lutzenberger praised the
success of the parliamentary elections held on May 12 and expressed
hopes that the small violations observed would be ironed out by the
2008 presidential elections.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress