Switalski: EU does not have any hidden agenda on Armenia

ArmInfo.The head of the EU delegation in Armenia, Piotr Switalski, positively assesses the fact of the forthcoming signing of a framework agreement between Yerevan and Brussels.

"My main task here is to take care of the Armenia-EU relations. I am  glad that we are approaching the stage of signing the agreement and  it is comparable to other obligations of Armenia. At this point,  there is both the beginning and the end of the count. Armenia is to  choose," the diplomat said on September 14 in Yerevan.

At the same time, the European ambassador stressed that there are no  points between Armenia and the European Union, on which there would  be serious disagreements. He noted that he participated in several  stages of the talks and can say that they took place in a  constructive and friendly atmosphere, without any hostility.  Switalski also stressed that Armenia is a free state and  independently makes decisions on various issues.

At the same time, the ambassador stressed that the European Union is  interested in the prosperity of Armenia. "Our goal is to ensure  prosperity and prosperity around Europe. The more developed Armenia  is, the more profitable it is for the EU. The EU has no hidden  agenda. Perhaps from a strategic point of view, Armenia is of little  interest to many states, but it has a rich culture. And we are  interested. We want prosperity for Armenia," the diplomat assured. He  also noted that the Armenian side has repeatedly expressed the desire  to develop bilateral relations on common values and the EU is ready  to strengthen cooperation in such important areas as the rule of law,  human rights, the development of democratic institutions. The  ambassador recalled that the EU had rendered serious assistance to  Armenia on holding elections, on reforming the sphere of justice, and  intends to continue cooperation in the same spirit. The diplomat also  expressed his belief that these areas of cooperation will receive a  new impetus after the signing of the Armenia-EU framework agreement.  "We do not want to impose anything on Armenia, just want Armenia to  take advantage of European proven experience in these areas, and the  decision is already behind it," the ambassador said.

Meanwhile, to comment on why the content of the new framework  agreement between Armenia and the EU is kept secret, Switalski noted  that this is a generally accepted procedure and nothing unusual in  this.  "This is common practice. Prior to signing, the agreement is  considered a bill and, therefore, may be subject to change. Even  after initialing, it continues to be considered a bill. We must be  patient and wait for the agreement to be signed. Togo requires  diplomatic procedures. I can only say that the agreement for  understandable reasons is slightly different from the document that  was signed with Moldova and Georgia and we said why this is so," the  ambassador concluded.