ArmInfo. The signing of Armenia-EU framework agreement is by no means the result of Yerevan's "second attempt", as the document on "comprehensive and expanded partnership" for the creation of a free trade zone does not provide for. Such an opinion was expressed to ArmInfo by Russian analyst Sergei Markedonov
On November 24, Armenia signed the Agreement on Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership with the EU on the margins of the Eastern Partnership Summit in Brussels. Signatures under the agreement in the presence of RA President Serzh Sargsyan and the chairman of the European Council Donald Tusk were put by the RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and the head of European diplomacy Federica Mogherini. The agreement will come into force after ratification by the parliaments of Armenia and 28 EU member states.
"Even from a formal legal point of view, Armenia cannot create a free trade zone with the EU through the head of the Eurasian coordinating centers." The signing of the framework agreement is the result of refusing to choose "either" or "taking into account the absence of alternatives in the current realities for Armenia Russian security umbrella. At the same time, economic and foreign policy diversification for Yerevan is very important. Otherwise, the costs of Armenia's isolation will fall on Russia's shoulders, which is unlikely to strengthen the latter's position in the Caucasus, "the analyst is assured.
According to his estimates, the agreement is clearly not a sign of normalization of relations between Russia and the EU in the post-Soviet space, however, the rejection of the rigid principle of "or" or "in favor of" and-and> looks symbolic. Markedonov believes that the maximalist approach of all the complexity of the situation in the post-Soviet states and societies did not take into account.
"In the case of Armenia, the distance from Russia without appropriate compensation in the sphere of security may, and promised the country some economic benefits, but did not guarantee the preservation of Yerevan's positions in Karabakh and in relations with Turkey. Therefore, in 2013, it was decided to joining first in the CU, and then in the EAEU, between the two maxims, Yerevan chose the Russian as more reliable to ensure the security of the country, "the analyst said.
Against this background, Armenia, in his opinion, develops relations not only with Russia, but also with the West, primarily because of Russian-Azerbaijani military-technical cooperation. In the first half of 2017, the EU countries accounted for about a third of Armenian exports and about half of imports. Also, Yerevan sees the EU as an important partner in the development of new technologies. "However, neither the EU nor NATO guarantees security ensured by Russia, from the base on the border with Turkey to participation in the resolution of the Karabakh conflict, and this role is almost unconditionally acknowledged by the Western partners in the OSCE Minsk Group," summed up analyst.