ARMENIA TO BENEFIT FROM SOUTH CAUCASUS CONFEDERATION FORMATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.03.2009 17:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Uniting of South Caucasian states into a single
confederation within the aegis of EU could strengthen their economy
and allow them to become associate EU members in several years,"
the Forum Chairman at Armenian Unions of Europe Ashot Grigoryan stated.

"The idea to create such a confederation was suggested at 2008 European
Economic Forum. The main goal was to unite Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia, NKR, Abkhazia and South Ossetia into a single confederation,"
noted Ashot Grigoryan, adding that he already introduced the initiative
to EU leadership, who gave it a positive assessment. "The initiative
will be discussed at 2009 European Economic Forum due in September,
and I hope it will strengthen Armenia-EU cooperation. The Confederation
creation suggests the facilitation of visa system, investment programs
and opening of borders."

"I believe Georgia and Azerbaijan will take a positive
approach. Besides, if Russia agrees to the project, South Caucasian
Confederation could become a bridge between Russia and Brussels."