Armenia has already finished the first stage of the preliminary negotiations on elaborating a new comprehensive document on cooperation with the EU. As a result, the visa regime between RA and EU has been facilitated, Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, has said during a press conference in Yerevan on July 20.
He has mentioned that the second stage of the negotiations envisages the abolition of the visa regime between the RA and EU. This, he says, is the final purpose of the negotiations. However, this is possible only in case of fulfilling the obligations assumed in the first stage. Most European countries, Tusk says, are considering allocating mandates to the negotiations.
As for Armenia's decision to join the EAEU instead of becoming an Associative member of the EU, Tusk said the EU does respect Yerevan's choice. He has assured this will not affect the Armenia-EU cooperation. The EU, he says, is interested in cooperating with Armenia in every mutually acceptable sector - democracy issues, stimulating sustainable development, ensuring free and open market, improvement of business climate, activation of investments, etc. He has expressed hope that both Armenia and the EU will be satisfied with the cooperation. The current year will be crucial for the Armenia-EU collaboration. He has also spoken of the importance of taking a specific approach towards "Eastern Partnership" member- countries.
Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan has also emphasized the need for a specific approach towards EP member-countries.