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EU launches negotiations on Association Agreements with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia

15-07-2010

The first round of negotiations on Association Agreements with Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia is taking place in the three South Caucasus countries in the coming week. The Agreements are based on joint commitments to a set of shared values and will cover a wide range of areas, including political dialogue, justice, freedom and security, as well as trade and cooperation in sectoral policies.

 
Attending the event in Batumi, Georgia, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said: “Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia have shown a clear ambition to intensify their relationships with the EU. I am personally convinced that this comprehensive Association Agreement shall impact positively not just on political relations but also on people's lives, in terms of economic opportunities, easier contacts with people from the EU, the environment, just to name a few. This agreement will be a catalyst to the domestic reforms in these countries and can help us to focus resources on the key institutions needed to make further efforts.”
 
“These Association Agreements will lay a new legal foundation for our relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The main objective of the Association Agreements is to achieve closer political association and gradual economic integration between the EU and these countries,” said Commissioner Štefan Füle on the occasion.
 
The EU is launching the negotiations through first Plenary Meetings to be held in Batumi (Georgia), on 15 July, in Baku (Azerbaijan) on 16 July and in Yerevan (Armenia) on 19 July. The negotiating process will be guided by the principles of inclusiveness, differentiation, conditionality and joint ownership, as well as by a strong commitment to shared values and principles, including democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and good governance.
 
The EU is currently negotiating similar Association Agreements with Ukraine and Moldova. (ENPI Info Centre)
 
Press release
 
Catherine Ashton in Batumi - video coverage
 
ENPI Info Centre – Ashton visit marks launch of EU Association Agreement talks with Georgia
 
ENPI Info Centre webpage – Armenia ; Azerbaijan ; Georgia