EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER: THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IS TRULY A STRATEGIC PROPOSAL FOR AN AMBITIOUS AND LONG TERM PROSPECTS

ArmInfo
2009-04-20 21:24:00

Interviewed by Aram Araratyan

Interview of European Commissioner for External Relations and European
Neighbourhood Policy Mrs. Benita Ferrero-Waldner to ArmInfo news agency

The EU welcomed the idea of Eastern Partnership. What is the essence
of the program and what are the expectations for the initiative?

I am very pleased that our Communication on the Eastern Partnership
was supported by Member States during the European Council of 20
March 2009. It represents a step change in our relations with our
Eastern neighbours (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova
and Ukraine) as it foresees a substantial upgrading of the level
of political engagement with our Eastern Partners by including the
following: the prospect of a new generation of Association Agreements,
far-reaching integration into the EU economy, comprehensive programmes
funded by the EU to improve partners’ administrative capacity in order
to be able to take up our offer. Besides, this initiative foresees the
establishment of easier travel to the EU for citizens providing that
security requirements are met, conclusion of "mobility and security
pacts", allowing for easier legitimate travel to the EU while at
the same time stepping up efforts to combat corruption, organized
crime and i llegal migration, enhanced energy security arrangements
benefitting all concerned, increased people-to-people contacts and
greater involvement of civil society and other stakeholders. In
addition, are planned to increase financial assistance: EUR 350
million more than planned for 6 countries concerned till 2013.

Furthermore, the Eastern Partnership also foresees the establishment of
a multilateral track through which we can further support individual
countries’ efforts to come closer to the EU by providing a framework
in which common challenges can be addressed. Examples of how we
plan to achieve this include seminars to improve understanding of EU
legislation and standards, sharing of experience, and where appropriate
development of joint activities. We have identified four policy areas
that we wish to focus on through the use of platforms: Democracy,
good governance and stability; Economic integration and convergence
with EU policies, Energy security; and Contacts between people.

I believe that the Eastern Partnership is truly a strategic proposal
-setting an ambitious, long term vision for the future and at the
same time being practical and concrete.

With the new programs implemented, how will the Armenia – EU relations
develop in the future?

Through the Eastern Partnership the EU is sending a strong signal of
the growing role and importance of the Southern Caucasus to the EU. The
implementation of the Eastern Partnership20will provide opportunities
to significantly intensify our joint work in particular as regards
Armenian efforts towards strengthening democratic structures, economic
reforms and regulatory approximation.

Furthermore, as just mentioned we add a multilateral dimension to
our cooperation. This could provide a useful platform for Armenia
and I hope that this multilateral format of the Eastern Partnership
will substantially contribute to the development of the regional
cooperation in Southern Caucasus.

In the press-conference in Armenia in January you said, that EU offer
to the South Caucasus countries a document similar to the Pact Regional
Implementation Plan for South Eastern Europe. What is the initiative
about and when the EU plans to implement this document?

The Eastern Partnership initiative incorporates multilateral
cooperation, which takes some inspiration from the Stability Pact
for sour east Europe.

While the circumstances of the South Caucasus and the Western Balkans
are different, I am keen to build on the valuable experience we gained
there, where it is relevant and helpful.

What are the main questions that will be discussed on the first summit
of the Eastern Partnership on 7 May 2009?

The summit will officially launch the Eastern Partnership and thus
open the way for stronger bilateral and multilateral cooperation. It
will be a first opportunity for partners from in and outside the EU
to show their commitme nt to this new project and to give the impetus
for the more technical work to be done at a lower political level.

In your estimate, can the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution
influence the implementation of Eastern Partnership?

I hope the Eastern Partnership can be beneficial in helping to create
the climate for more cooperation between neighbours, even where there
is a long-running dispute, and the EU stands ready to offer support
once a peaceful solution has been reached. The Eastern Partnership has
a great deal to offer to all citizens of its partner countries, but
clearly the full benefit – in terms of greater prosperity and stability
– will only be felt where such difficulties have been resolved.

Thanks for the interview

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress