ArmInfo.EU delegation head in Armenia Piotr Switalski does not see obstacles in signing agreement on integral and extended partnership between Armenia and EU.
"I am not informed of any political obstacles or impediments to the signing of agreement between Armenia and the European Union. Yes there are some technical issues that are being regulated. However, there are no political obstacles on the part of EU, "Switalski said at a press conference in Yerevan on June 20, answering the question whether obstacles could arise in the signing of the EU framework agreement.
The Ambassador stressed that EU moves forward and gets ready to signing agreement in the Summit of Eastern Partnership this fall.
At the same time, he could not say whether there are such obstacles from Armenian side or no. Switalski said the he is not informed whether there are challenges or obstacles that may prevent Armenia from signing this agreement. To note, On February 27, the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and the European Council President Donald Tusk, in Brussels, announced the completion of the negotiations on new Armenia-EU agreement. The sides noted that the document is most likely to be signed in May 2017.
To note, on October 12, 2015, in Luxemburg, during the EU Council meeting on foreign affairs, the EU Council for Foreign Affairs instructed the European Commission and High Representative to start negotiations between Armenia and EU on new legal document. The new agreement will replace the current one on cooperation between Armenia and EU. At the same time, in the document is noted that EU intends the further development and strengthening of bilateral cooperation with Armenia in all the sectors the sides are interested in within the Eastern Partnership framework. On December 7, 2016, in Brussels, the Foreign Minister of Armenia Eduard Nalbandian and Head of EU diplomacy Federica Mogherini, in Eu headquarters announced the start of negotiations around new legal document between Armenia and EU. The first phase of negotiations took part in January 2016.