EU COUNCIL DEVELOPS "NEW EXTENDED AGREEMENT" WITH ARMENIA, GEORGIA AND AZERBAIJAN

ArmInfo
2009-12-08 14:53:00

ArmInfo. Discussions are held in EU Council on provision of mandates
for the "New extended agreement" with Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan,
a source in the European Union told ArmInfo on anonymous terms.

According to the source, as soon as the agreement on mandates is
reached, EU Commission will start negotiations on these "New extended
agreements" which will replace and improve the existing agreements on
partnership and cooperation with the South Caucasus countries. The
source in EU also said the new agreement has nothing in common with
EU associated membership like those provided to the Ukraine and Turkey.

""The new extended agreement" has nothing in common with a preliminary
status for joining EU or something along those lines. This issue is
not in the agenda", the source said.

Moreover, the source said, the Eastern Partnership and New European
Neighborhood Policy programmes are preserved as projects for work
with the South Caucasus countries. "For example, within the frames of
the Eastern Partnership, we shall develop a new extended agreement
which includes, in particular, a component on free trade with EU",
the source said and added that discussions in EU Council are expected
not earlier than in spring of 2010.