7 minute read
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS:
Sweden and Poland among EU member states came forth with an initiative, which suggested an expanded cooperation with EU eastern neighbor-countries – Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarusia. The summit of the Eastern Partnership will be held in the upcoming days in Warsaw, capital of Poland. At the threshold of the summit Polish Foreign Minister Radoslav Sikorski gave an exclusive interview to Armenpress on the successes and issues of the Eastern Partnership.
- Poland was one of initiators of the Eastern Partnership. In this period of time what are the most tangible results of the initiative?
- Among the most tangible results of the Eastern Partnership isthe launching of EU negotiations on Association Agreements with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova in 2010, EU Action Plan on visa liberalisation for Ukraine and Moldova, in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Consequently, both countries are on the way to visa free regime with EU.Georgia started implementing visa facilitation agreement at the beginning of 2011;
Among the achievements is that theEU raised financial support for the EaP and the Eastern Partners. Additional funds are also envisaged by 2013.Comprehensive Institutional Building Programmes (CIB), supporting Eastern Partners, are being implemented (€173mln by 2013 for all Eastern Partners). European Investment Bank within the Eastern Partners Facility and the EIB external mandatemade available €5.2bln for Eastern European countries. The EaP multilateral path of developing cooperation in specific areas was established along with several flagship initiatives.
- In which ways can this initiative be mutually beneficial both for Armenia and the EU?
- The Eastern Partnership offers the Eastern European countries an ambitious project of gradual political and economic integration with the EU, as well as an advanced mechanism offering specific support in modernisation and transformation into full market-economies and democracies, based on European values, standards and norms. As a result of such cooperation, the EU enhances the stability, security and prosperity of the entire continent.
- What does Poland expect from the Eastern Partnership Summit?
- The EaP Summit in Warsaw should bring additional impetus to the initiative and set out new ambitious guidelines for its further implementation. Poland expects that the Summit will reconfirm EU readiness to acknowledge the European aspirations of Eastern Partners,confirm the possibility ofsigning of EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free trade Agreement (DCFTA), as well as the launching of EU-Moldova and EU-Georgia negotiations on DCFTA – this year,make visa-free regime goal achievable to all partners that will meet necessary but clearly formulated EU conditions,open the way for interested Eastern partners to full integration with EU internal market and to establishingan economic area between the EU and partner countries,deepen sector cooperation in the area of transport, energy efficiency, energy security, agriculture, etc, facilitate Eastern partners’ participation in EU agencies and programs (e.g. lifelong learning programmes, including the Erasmus programme),confirm the“more for more”principle under which partners involved intensely in deepening cooperation with EU are to obtain additional EU support.
- How do you assess the pace of the negotiations of the association agreement between Armenia and the EU? When will it be possible to sign the agreement?
- The process of negotiations which started in July 2010 and the current dynamic talks could be described as satisfactory. Nevertheless, the most difficult chapters of the agreement, among them the one on establishing the free trade zone, are still ahead. It is clear that this process—with so many difficult regulations to be implemented into the Armenian legislation—has to take more time. Poland urges both the European Commission and Armenia to enhance their efforts conduct the negotiations efficiently. In this regard, the EU Comprehensive Institution Building Programme was prepared, aiming at improving the capabilities of the Armenian administration.
- On 28-29 July the President of Poland visited Armenia. In what manner did this visit contribute to the future development of Polish-Armenian bilateral relations?
- It is important to remember that President Komorowski’s official visit to Armenia was preceded by visits of Prime Minister Tusk and Foreign Minister in 2010. These three events show Poland’s interest in Armenia. From the political point of view, Armenia is a member of the Eastern Partnership—we would like to see the success of your pro-European efforts. Poland is also eager to enhance its economic relations with Armenia—last year an intergovernmental agreement to that effect was signed. During President’s visit it was announced that a Polish company would provide new biometric passports and IDs for Armenians. We hope that such a success will pave the way for other companies to start business with our Armenian partners.