ARMENIA-EU FREE TRADE AGREEMENT TO FACILITATE ARMENIAN-EUROPEAN MARKET INTEGRATION

ARKA
Feb 18, 2009

YEREVAN, February 18. /ARKA/. An agreement on free trade between
Armenia and the European Union (EU) will facilitate the integration of
Armenian markets with European markets, RA Minister of Economy Nerses
Yeritsyan stated at the opening of a meeting on the activities of a
fact-finding mission to prepare possible negotiations for the signing
of a free trade agreement between Armenia and the EU.

The Minister said that the issue of signing a comprehensive agreement
with the EU will be discussed with EU experts.

"We will raise the issue of integration of Armenian markets and
business environment into European markets. We will elaborate
a full-fledged program and, if we manage to reach an agreement,
a schedule will be drawn up, which will enable us to ensure an
environment in conformity with international standards for Armenian
markets and exporters," he said.

The Minister expressed hope that the negotiations will be completed
soon because the implementation of this agreement will require time.

According to him, the major obstacle to an agreement with the EU
is not in the Armenian laws, but their proper application and the
creation of institutional opportunities.

Yeritsyan pointed out that EU experts indicated a number of areas
that need serious work.

"These are technical barriers – certification, standardization, =0 D
phytosanitary inspections, which require serious investments in the
infrastructure and thorough knowledge," he said.

Yeritsyan also pointed out the necessity for work to protect
intellectual property and economic competition, state purchases and
improvement of competition.

The Minister also stressed that the EU is assisting Armenia in
implementing the New Neighborhood program, with trade and the economic
component forming a major part.

"We will receive prompt and intense assistance from the European side
during the negotiations," Yeritsyan said.

Eva Sinovich, Director of the representative office, Head Directorate
of Trade Relations, European Commission, stressed that the agreement
must be signed only after its possible consequences have been
thoroughly studied so that no damage may be caused to the Armenian
economy.

An expert group of the European Commission headed by Eva Sinovich
arrived on a fact-finding mission to Yerevan on February 18.

The European experts plan to discuss the priority reforms to help
Armenia to prepare for negotiations for signing a comprehensive
agreement on free trade with the EU.

Such an agreement will raise the level of trade ties, provide for
mutually advantageous conditions for integration, facilitate economic
reforms and afford new opportunities to Armenian business.