Armenia to finalize preparations for starting deep and comprehensive free trade agreement negotiations with EU

ARKA, 20.09.2011

By the end of this year Armenia plans to finalize preparations for starting negotiations with the European Union on the deep and comprehensive free trade agreement, Armenian economy minister Tigran Davtian said.

He said there are several requirements for starting negotiations, including revision of standardization, metrology, hygiene and protection of intellectual property systems and removal of other trade obstacles.

"We have to enforce systemic changes related to European integration management processes. More precisely, we have to form appropriate substructures within the government system," he said.

The minister stressed that a great deal of work was done in all these directions, and it is important that these changes be implemented in practice.

The possibility of such an agreement is a key element of the EU’s Eastern Partnership program that offers six former Soviet republics much closer integration with the 27-nation bloc in return for political and economic reforms.

The association talks between Armenia and EU were formally opened in 2010 July 19. The agreement would entitle Armenia to a permanent free trade regime with the EU and facilitate visa procedures for its citizens travelling to Europe. The EU says democratization, human rights protection and a stronger rule of law are necessary conditions for Armenia's participation in the Eastern Partnership. -0-