Monday, April 8 2024 13:02

ArmInfo.The US-EU-Armenia meeting is evidence the sides are drawing closer to one another, EU Foreign Policy Spokesperson Peter Stano told RFE/RL. 

Commenting on the statement by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol  Pashinyan that Armenia is ready to be as close to the EU as the  European Union deems possible, Stano stated that the nature of  relations between two partners always depends on their ambitions. So,  of course, it does not just depend on Brussels or just on Yerevan. It  depends on where the sides want to be together and how far they want  to go in terms of strengthening their cooperation. The US-EU-Armenia  trilateral meeting held in Brussels proves that the sides are  becoming closer to each other. And this is based on common  determination, he said.

When asked to clarify in what direction bilateral relations will  develop - within the framework of the already existing Comprehensive  and Enhanced Partnership or whether there is a possibility of  granting Armenia candidate status to the EU, Stano explained that in  interaction the emphasis is on the existing foundations. However, he  added, there is also progress on the new partnership agenda, which  was agreed two months ago and reaffirmed in Brussels.

According to him, at a meeting in Brussels on April 5, areas of  interaction were determined, since there is a common understanding  and desire to take existing relations to a new, higher level due to  the desire to cooperate on broader issues and in more areas.

Touching upon the issue of security and clarifying why the EU is in  no hurry to include Armenia in the list of countries using the Peace  Mechanism, despite the fact that this was announced back in the fall  of 2023, Stano recalled that this issue is decided by the member  states, since this is about security policy. This is an area under  the strict control of all member states, and any decision there can  only be taken with the consent of all members of the European Union.  But they are working on it. Discussions about supporting the European  Peace Fund are ongoing, and at some point a decision will be made But  the processes in the EU take some time, especially considering that  there must be consensus among all 27 member states, the European  official said.

When asked to clarify what caused the delays in the process of  starting a dialogue between Armenia and the EU on visa  liberalization, Stano stated that there are no delays, since there is  no schedule for the start of this process.

Visa liberalization is similar to other EU processes. It is a very  thorough, highly technical process, ultimately also political, since  the decision must be approved by all member states. That is the  answer to your question, why is it taking so long? Because member  states must find the best a way to ensure that they are satisfied  with all the criteria that have been met, that they have sufficient  guarantees that visa liberalization will not be abused, etc. There  are technical, security and other considerations that Member States  take into account when adopting decisions. They have to make a  decision. But the EU has stated that visa liberalization, along with  support from the European Peace Fund, are areas in which the EU wants  to discuss in more detail the possibilities of achieving practical  results. So there is a willingness, he added.

When asked whether the European Union can help restore the  territorial integrity of Armenia and whether there is such a  readiness in Brussels, Stano recalled that international law exists  for this. "And the European Union has a very clear approach:  international law must be respected, it cannot be violated. And if  there are problems, they must be resolved at the negotiating table.  That is why the EU are actively involved in supporting the  negotiation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia to resolve all  existing problems. In this The President of the European Council,  Charles Michel, is actively involved, with the support of High  Representative Borrell, EU Special Representative Toivo Klaar. This  is what the EU is already doing, working with both sides in bilateral  and trilateral formats to advance this process. But, in the end,  Azerbaijan and Armenia must find a solution yourself. No one can  solve the problem for you. No one can force solutions on you. All of  us, the international community, can only help, Mr Stano said. 

To the remark that Azerbaijan violated the agreements reached through  the mediation of Charles Michel, and whether the EU has mechanisms of  influence for refusing to fulfill its obligations, Stano assured that  the European Union cannot take on the role of an arbiter.

The EU cannot take the main role in the settlement process, but it  can play a supporting role with other partners, the US, the UN, if  Armenia wants, because this is about compliance with international  law. The EU do not use leverage or coercion to force anyone then do  something, and offer our services, our best practices and our good  intentions to help the parties find a solution," he said, adding that  the EU adheres to this principle in all parts of the world.

The EU is not in the business of imposing anything on countries and  partners. The EU emphasizes the need to respect international law.  The EU emphasizes the need for reconciliation and good  neighborliness, as these are the principles of civilized life. In the  EU, we live in the 21st century, and in the 21st century, issues are  resolved through discussion, and not by force, Mr Stano said. 

To clarify whether anyone who violates this international law should  not be held accountable, Stano noted that for such cases there is the  UN, the UN Security Council, and any country has the right to address  this issue to the Security Council, the International Court of  Justice, the International Criminal Court .

This is the existing system that we want to strengthen. The EU must  ensure compliance with international law, and part of its  implementation is the settlement process, the negotiation process.  Negotiations are ongoing between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the  settlement process is underway, regardless of the incidents you  mentioned that occurred and, to unfortunately, can happen. But this  once again underlines why everyone must do everything possible to  find solutions. Because, in the end, it is not the EU that suffers,  Mr Stano said.