YEREVAN, November 27. /ARKA/. The citizens of Armenia will feel the benefits of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which Armenia and the European Union signed November 24 at the fifth summit of the EU's Eastern Partnership program in Brussels, over time, according to the head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Piotr Switalski.
Speaking to a news conference in Yerevan Switalski said the anticipated changes would not happen in the next few days, adding that the principles, which are laid in the basis of the agreement, the goals and aspirations of both sides to assiduously work towards their implementation, mean that over time all citizens of Armenia would benefit from the agreement.
He said that the agreement would contribute to the democratization of political processes in Armenia, the formation of a competitive market economy and make the Armenian market more attractive for European companies, which all together would have a positive effect on the life of every citizen.
He added that the agreement opens up new opportunities, but it is also very important that both sides use them in the best way.
‘Now we are preparing all the necessary material and technical base for its implementation, so it's time to work more intensively to achieve the best results," said Switalski.
He said both sides that signed the agreement committed to intensify relations. ‘The European Union encourages and supports, but never forces anything. I do not think that one should speak about sanctions against Armenia if some articles of the agreement are not implemented,’ said Switalski.
The agreement will enter into force after all 28 EU member states and Armenia ratify it.
Armenia and the EU were supposed to sign the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) at a 2013 November Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius but on September 3 Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan announced that the country was going to become part of the Russian-led Customs Union.
On December 7, 2015 Armenia and the EU launched talks on a new framework agreement after EU Foreign Affairs Council authorized earlier the European Commission and the High Representative to open negotiations on a new legal basis for relations with Armenia. -0-
