EU/ARMENIA : EU VISIT EXPLORES CLOSER TRADE TIES WITH YEREVAN
by Paul Ames

Europolitics (daily in English)
February 19, 2009 Thursday

A team of European Commission experts was due to arrive in Yerevan, on
18 February, on a fact-finding mission designed to prepare the ground
for negotiations on a sweeping free trade agreement with Armenia that
would bolster economic ties between EU and the South Caucasus nation,
which is currently heavily dependent on Russia. The Commission team
is headed by Director Eva Synowiec from the Directorate-General for
External Trade.

In a statement posted on the DG Trade website, the Commission said
a free trade agreement would significantly improve ties by offering
"both sides preferential access to each other’s markets, supporting
economic reforms in Armenia and offering new opportunities for
Armenian business".

The talks follow the launch of the Eastern Partnership initiative by EU
leaders, at their summit in December 2008, to develop relations with
former Soviet nations. Last August’s war between Russia and Georgia
has also given fresh impetus to EU efforts to upgrade relations with
the three South Caucasus nations. The EU is also more willing now to
deal with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia on a one-by-one basis. The
previous emphasis on drawing them closer as a bloc drew criticism
from the region.

Of the three, Armenia has had closest relations with Russia, partly
because of historical ties and partly because its poor relations with
neighbouring Turkey and Azerbaijan have left it economically reliant
on Moscow. However, since the Georgian war, the authorities in Yerevan
have stepped up efforts to diversify. "Armenia is trying to carry out
a multi-vectorial foreign policy," says Amanda Akcakoca, an expert
on European Neighbourhood Policy at the European Policy Centre.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress