Armenia and the European Union have repeatedly expressed willingness to develop and promote comprehensive cooperation in all areas, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian says in an interview with the Aravot (Morning) newspaper.
He says that the summits in Vilnius and Riga reaffirmed the willingness to develop mutually beneficial cooperation between Armenia and the European Union.
"On October 12 the Council of the European Union authorized the European Commission and the High Representative to open negotiations on a new agreement with Armenia. As regards the schedule, both sides expect the talks to start by the end of 2015. I think our experience of negotiations with the EU will make it possible to promote these talks quite intensively," says Nalbandian.
To recall, on October 12, in Luxembourg, the Council authorized the European Commission and the High Representative to open negotiations on a new, legally binding and overarching agreement with Armenia, and adopted the corresponding negotiating mandate. This agreement will replace the current EU-Armenia partnership and cooperation agreement. The EU is committed to further developing and strengthening comprehensive cooperation with Armenia in all areas of mutual interest within the Eastern Partnership framework. The official launch of negotiations is envisaged to take place before the end of the year.