Devil Hiding Behind Details – Armenian Analyst On Association Agreem

DEVIL HIDING BEHIND DETAILS – ARMENIAN ANALYST ON ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT

15:06 29.08.13

The structure of the EU-Association Agreement is generally known
to the political circles in Armenia though the devil, as they say,
seems to be hiding behind the details, says an analyst.

“The problem is that we know the general structure that has political
elements, certain specific bloc elements, but the document at
issue is not clearly subject to publication,” Alexander Margarov,
an associate professor at the Yerevan State University’s Chair of
Political Institutions and Processes, told Tert.am at a news conference
when asked to comment on the possible processes that may follow the
initialing of the document later this year,

The expert said that the details are known to a very limited number
of individuals, namely representatives of EU committees and narrow
national negotiating groups.

“If the issue is whether that poses hazards to a two-sided policies
directed towards the north, Russia, then these are policies we have
been implementing for quite a long time . We are trying to pursue
those policies, maintaining the good-neighborly relations with the
world’s central force poles,” he said.

Asked whether the ‘both … and” format (simultaneous cooperation with
the West and Russia) is acceptable and applicable for Armenia, Margarov
noted that the European Union does not have mechanisms allowing it to
act as a guarantor for Armenia and the other countries in the South
Caucasus region.

The expert added that the policies pursued have to stem from the
interests of an Armenian citizen, rather than the high-ranking decision
makers of foreign states.

Margarov said the Armenian authorities current policies seek to
ensure the maximum effects, considering both the real chances of
cooperation and the defense guarantees offered in the Russia-CSTO
(Collective Security Treaty Organization) format and the potentials
of developing ties with the EU member states.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress