New EU-Armenia deal ‘exceptional advantage’ – French ambassador  

The Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) initialed in Yerevan last week offers Armenia a good chance to develop cooperation with the EU while being an EEU member state, the French ambassador said today, sharing his vision of the recently agreed deal.

In comments to the Armenian service of RFE/RL (Azatutyun), Jean-Francois Charpentier noted that after Armenia’s sovereign decision to join the Russia-led bloc, his country was the advocate of a new cooperation deal to deepen the bilateral partnership and approximate mutual interests.

“I don’t think it will run counter to Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union. Armenia is the only country which has an exceptional agreement with the EU while being an EEU member. So I find this a considerable advantage,” he said, noting that no other country has been so far granted such a privilege.  

The initialed deal also envisages a visa liberalization dialogue, the ambassador added,

Asked about the possible impact of the upcoming parliamentary election (on the agreement, and the future of EU-Armenia ties in general). the ambassador said he finds that elections have a fundamental value for both Armenia and the EU. He stressed the importance of free and fair processes to allow voters to exercise their civil right and express political will. “This is why the EU decided to provide €7 million to help establish confidence-building mechanisms ruling out pressure upon voters,” he added.

The ambassador also highly appreciated the public and civil society engagement in the processes. “We closely follow the electoral campaign, and I maintain permanent contact with the authorities and politicians pursuing most different trends,” he said.