NEGOTIATING DIRECTIVES FOR ASSOCIATION AGREEMENTS WITH THE SOUTH CAUCASUS COUNTRIES TO BE PRESENTED TO EU ON MAY 10

ArmInfo
2010-05-03 15:36:00

ArmInfo. "The negotiating directives for Association Agreements with
the South Caucasus countries will be presented for formal adoption
at the Foreign Affairs Council on May 10", European Commissioner for
Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule said when speaking
at the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), European Parliament,
after his visit to the South Caucasus and Ukraine.

"This will pave the way for the EU side to prepare for the launch
of negotiations. These Agreements will allow for close political
association between each of the partners in the South Caucasus and
the EU, building on common values and shared principles", Fule said.

According to him, during his visit to the region, Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Georgia gave to understand that they strive for closer and more
extended cooperation with Europe. "My message to the leaders in
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia has been and will always be that the
responsibility for the internal reform processes and the strengthening
of democracy and rule of law lie firmly in the hands of the governments
and politicians of those countries", European Commissioner said.

He added that association agreements will allow to develop
comprehensive free trade cooperation with South Caucasus countries.

"Such agreements of economic integration will provide access to the
EU market of 500 million consumers and will help increasing trade
flows and investments", Fule said.