YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS: Laima Andrikiene MEP, Standing Rapporteur for South Caucasus in the International Trade Committee (INTA) of the European Parliament welcomed the steady progress in the EU negotiations with Armenia and Georgia and expected that political decisions on the conclusion of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (DCFTAs) would be reached later this year before the Eastern Partnership Summit which would take place in November 2013 in Vilnius during Lithuania's Presidency of the EU.  

"The European Parliament is closely monitoring EU-Armenia and EU-Georgia negotiations on future DCFTAs which are an integral part of the Association Agreements between the EU and respectful Eastern Partnership countries", pointed out Laima Andrikiene MEP.

One of the main priorities of the forthcoming Lithuanian EU Presidency is bringing the countries of the Eastern Partnership closer to the EU. In this regard, Mrs Andrikiene stressed the importance of a successful conclusion of negotiations on DCFTAs with South Caucasus countries which will rely on their readiness to adopt and implement the EU acquits communautaire in the field of trade.

Armenpress reports, INTA Standing Rapporteur on South Caucasus including Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, concluded: "Joining the Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Community would be incompatible with the conclusion of the highly beneficial DCFTA with the European Union. And it is certainly a matter of political choice of the political leadership based on the will of the people in the Eastern Partnership countries in the South Caucasus".