EU launches association talks with Armenia

(YEREVAN) - The European Union on Monday launched talks with Armenia on a pact that would strengthen political and economic ties between the bloc and the former Soviet republic.

"The agreement will deepen Armenia's political association and economic integration with the EU," the EU's chief negotiator Gunnar Vigand told reporters in Yerevan.

"It is a historic step and very ambitious agreement that will make Armenia more attractive to European investors and foster trade and democracy in the country."

Armenia's deputy foreign minister Karine Kazinian said the talks would take a long time.

"It is a very protracted process and it is hard to say when it will be finalised. The talks started and we are ready to finalise them successfully," she said.

Association agreements are treaties between the bloc and non-EU countries that create a framework for closer political ties and economic integration. Negotiations on agreements usually take from one to four years.

Such talks are also ongoing with the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

They along with Armenia and Belarus are part of the EU's Eastern Partnership initiative designed to foster democracy, security and economic reforms in Europe's eastern neighbourhood while deepening political and trade ties.

EU relations with Armenia