EU: There are still some uncoordinated issues hindering completion of  talks on framework agreement with Armenia 

ArmInfo. Negotiations between Armenia and EU around new framework agreement are being held in constructive way and quite intensively in European point of view,  Head of EU Delegation to Armenia Piotr Switalski stated at today's  press conference. 

According to him usually such kind of negotiations last much longer.  However, this is our point of view maybe by Armenian estimations the  situation is other. If the frequency of meetings and dialogs is  considered everything is happening very fast, he said. Certain issues  still remain unsolved, not complex in political context, however  requiring time for finding the most appropriate formulations for  documenting, the European diplomat said. At the same time he added  that there are unsolved issues revealed during the negotiations,  however there are no doubts that they will be solved, as both sides  demonstrate sincere constructive approach. 

Touching upon the problems Switalski stated that they relate to a  number of circumstances appeared after 2013 including Armenia's  participation in the Eurasian Economic Union and a number of other  issues. The diplomat also added that today the EU has quite different  approach to a number of issues versus it had three years ago,  moreover the Organization attaches serious importance to such issues  as protection of investments. 

On October 12, 2015, in Luxembourg, the Council authorized the  European Commission and the High Representative to open negotiations   on a new, legally binding and overarching agreement with Armenia, and   adopted the corresponding negotiating mandate. This agreement will  replace the current EU-Armenia partnership and cooperation agreement.    The EU is committed to further develop and strengthen comprehensive  cooperation with Armenia in all areas of mutual interest within the  Eastern Partnership framework. On December 7, 2015, at the EU  Headquarters in Brussels, Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign  Affairs of Armenia and Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the   European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-   President of the Commission, announced the launch of negotiations on   a new Armenia-European Union framework agreement.  The first round of  the talks was held in Brussels in Jan 2016. In late 2016 Armenian  Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian expressed hope that the talks on   the new framework agreement would shortly be completed. The eighth  round of negotiations was held in Brussels on January 19.