Piotr Switalski: The potential of economic relations between Armenia  and the EU is far from being fully used 

ArmInfo. "Discussions began in the European Union that outline its future form, it is also important for Armenia," the EU delegation to Armenia in Yerevan, Head of the EU  Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Piotr Swatalski said on September 22 at the youth conference of the EU Model 2017 in Armenia.

Switalski said that the relations between Armenia and the EU are  bilateral, not multilateral.

As for the economic relations between Armenia and the EU, in his  opinion, its potential is not fully used, although the European Union  is Armenia's first foreign trade partner. "As the Prime Minister of  Armenia Karen Karapetyan noted, this year the growth rate of exports  to the EU exceeded exports to the Eurasian Economic Union, in  particular, exports to Europe grew by 31%, however, in the  Government's program for the next five years, Russia and Russia USA,"  said Piotr Switalski.

The ambassador noted that in the new EU policy, a much greater place  will be given to relations with neighboring countries. Switalski also  noted that, in connection with the Ukrainian crisis, the European  Union realizes how much importance it has for countries that border  with the EU. "Although Armenia does not have borders with the EU, we  consider it an integral part of Europe and we want to pursue an  active policy in this region." It is very important for us that our  neighboring countries cope with the problems, develop dynamically and  flourish," the ambassador said.

Speaking about reforms being implemented in Armenia, the diplomat on  behalf of the EU expressed readiness to continue assistance in their  implementation, stressing that, in his opinion, the new government of  the republic is ready for change. According to Switalski, on the  ground for the EU there are economic reforms, further struggle  against corruption, the creation of an independent system of justice,  the protection of human rights.

"I do not think that in Armenia they are sufficiently well informed  about the EU, they do not know very well how the European Union  operates and what impact it has on the member states of the EU  Armenia is not a member of the European Union and is not even on the  way to association, but it is still important for Armenian citizens  to understand how the EU works. The EU's influence on Armenia is  quite large, in the positive sense of this expression," the head of  the EU delegation in Armenia said.

The Ambassador also noted that it is important for Armenia the  European Union to be strong, noting that recent years have been quite  difficult for the structure, reminding the international financial  crisis, the refugee problem and the Ukrainian issue. At the same time  he expressed confidence that the difficult times are already behind,  and the future of the EU is cloudless.