Armenia-EU Association Agreement talks to be completed soon, Deputy Foreign Minister says

Armenia and the European Union have made progress in the negotiations of the Association Agreement. Deputy Foreign Minister, Chief negotiator Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said he already sees "the edges of the text". In his words, the process is due to be accomplished by the end of the year.
 
"We have two rounds to undergo by the end of the year and few in the coming one. We are planning to move forward in a speeded-up way. As far as we have already carried out enough work until the main negotiations, in respect of implementation of preconditions, it gives us an opportunity to be optimistic about reaching the implementation of the agreement with the same tempo," the diplomat said.
 
The Association Agreement, the talks over which launched on July 19, 2010, will replace the currently operating Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. On June 20 the first round of talks over agreement on a deep and comprehensive free trade area ended in Brussels.
 
In parallel to the Association Agreement, negotiations are underway on visa regime facilitation and readmission agreement. They have launched in February 2012. The second phase of talks is due to start in the coming week.
 
According to Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, the Association Agreement, visa regime facilitation and readmission agreement, as well as Armenia-EU political dialogue is one whole addressed to expanding the political association with the EU states, promote integration of Armenia's economy.
 
Armenia's chief negotiator said visa regime facilitation is one of the key goals that will give people opportunity to move freely in Europe, without any limitations.
 
Speaking about readmission agreements, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said they have such agreements with 12 countries.
 
By the way, according to Tert.am's information, even attempts of suicides have been committed in refugee camps in Belgium agreed with the prospect of arriving back to Armenia.
 
Speaking about the opportunities the visa regime facilitation will give, Zohrabyan said Armenian citizens, students, academicians, businessmen in particular, will freely travel in Europe.   Read more... (337 words)

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