EU-Armenian free trade agreement put under consideration

Support A1+!

An expert group of the European Commission headed by director of representative office of trade directorate general Eva Sinovich arrived in Yerevan on February 18 on a fact-finding mission to prepare possible negotiations on signing of a free trade agreement between Armenia and the European Union. The group is comprised of 23 experts.

The agreement on EU-Armenian free trade is still being elaborated. It will cover the economic field and trade regimes of Armenia," RoA Minister of Ecomony Nerses Yeritsyan told a press conference before the negotiations.

Such an agreement will enhance the current trade links and offer mutually advantageous terms to the sides.

Representatives of Armenian ministries and state bodies have been invited to participate in the elaboration of the document. Minister Yeritsyan is entrusted with the formation of the working group.

The process resembles integration into the World Trade Organisation but it suggests wider circles.

The programme has been put under consideration, and if we manage to reach an agreement we shall be able to provide Armenian importers and traders with European standards," noted the Minister.

EU-Armenian free trade agreement is one of the important components of the Eastern Partnership and will help Armenia move forward to real integration in the EU, which, in its turn, will give a real benefit to Armenian companies and consumers. The EU experts are assigned to study the impact the agreement may have on the Armenian economy before they start their work on the agreement. They promise to share opinion after the agreement is signed.

Note that in case the agreement is reached, the Armenian side will have to amend the legislative sphere.