Zdzislaw Raczynski: Armenia should persuade Brussels that it’s a
reliable partner for EU
December 1, 2014 11:04
EXCLUSIVE
On November 30, Polish Ambassador Zdzislaw Raczynski completed his
mission in Armenia and left Yerevan. Before leaving, he gave an
interview to Mediamax.
– Mr. Ambassador, you have spent more than 4 years in Armenia. How
would you assess Yerevan-Warsaw political dialogue over the period?
– Armenia-Poland political relations are currently on a high level.
Since Armenia’s independence, it has been the most active period of
our bilateral relations. I often describe Armenia-Poland relations as
“mature partnership” based on mutual trust. As mature partners,
Armenia and Poland know what they expect from each other. Our
countries’ leaders cooperate in an atmosphere of mutual trust and
understanding. The Armenian and Polish peoples have similar historical
fate which is an extra impetus to our relations. They allow us to
perceive and understand each in a more accurate way. Poland is
currently one of the most active and devoted partners of Armenia
especially in terms of the political dialogue.
– And what about the economic ties?
– Over the past 5 years, the volume of trade turnover between our
countries has doubled. Of course, the volumes are not so large –
around EUR50mln yearly – but we shouldn’t expect big results taking
into account the distance between Armenia and Poland and other
circumstances.
I think we should work more not only on increasing export and import
volumes but boosting Armenian-Polish joint production. I take great
interest in following the operation of 2 major Polish companies in
Armenia. PWPW (Polish Security Printing Works) works out biometric
passports for Armenia.
The first Armenia-Poland joint venture for production of military
equipment – Lyubava Armenia – has opened recently. It produces
bulletproof vests, helmets and tents. If both companies manage to
succeed on the Armenian market, I think their practice will be a model
for others and will pique interest among Polish businessmen. Overall,
I leave Armenia being convinced that everything possible has been done
to strengthen Armenia-Poland economic and cultural cooperation.
Polish Ambassador Zdzislaw Raczynski
Photo:Mediamax
– Mr. Ambassador, much is spoken that Armenia’s decision to join
Eurasian Economic Union and not to sign EU Association Agreement as a
result was a surprise and disappointment for EU states. How was the
Armenian President’s 2013 September 3 decision assessed by Poland?
– First of all, let me say that Armenia is an important regional
partner for Poland and we were convinced Armenia’s signing of EU
Association Agreement would speed up reforms and economy modernization
in Armenia. I don’t share the opinion that September 3 decision was a
surprise or disappointment. Back in June 2013, the Armenian President
clearly accentuated some points on this issue during his visit to
Poland. After that, Poland didn’t doubt that Armenia wouldn’t join EU
Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area as Russia opposes to it.
We avoid assessing whether it’s right or wrong. It’s just a statement
of facts. Armenia is linked to Russia with history, security and
economy.
Russia is Armenia’s key partner and from the moment Russia started
perceiving EU Eastern Partnership program as a geopolitical game
everything became clear. Armenia and Russia are greatly interrelated
and obviously, Armenia couldn’t be against Moscow and lose its
support.
One should understand that EU Association Agreement doesn’t mark a
country’s membership to the EU. It marks the beginning of reforms and
transforms the country based on EU member states’ model. It happened
to Poland. Based on our example, we made sure that it’s a good way for
Poland but no one can impose its development model on another state.
Armenia has chosen a different path for itself and we quite understand
the choice.
– In your opinion, what changed in Armenia-EU relations after the decision?
– On the whole, nothing has changed. Armenia continues to be EU’s
Eastern partner. The quality of relations hasn’t changed – only the
circumstances have altered. After Russian aggression against Ukraine,
the field of countries’ maneuvers striving for balanced and
complementary policy with EU has become very limited. We can say it is
fully lacking and the factor can’t be positive for Armenia-EU
cooperation. Our greatest concern is that now when Georgia embarked on
a European integration path and Armenia is moving forward to Eurasian
Economic Union, the differences between the two neighbors are
deepening which can become an invisible obstacle. This is the threat
we want to avoid. Want it or not, it’s a fact that the EU which faces
various challenges will pay more attention to the Eastern partners
which are guided by ”more for more” principle. Armenia-EU relations
haven’t changed for the past 2 years – only the situation has.
Polish Ambassador Zdzislaw Raczynski
Photo:Mediamax
– Armenia is willing to start visa-free regime talks with EU. Given
the situation you described, how possible is it?
– Poland has always wanted liberalization of visa regime with Georgia
to be simultaneous with that of Armenia. This is our position. But
Armenia’s some actions don’t facilitate our work and it sometimes
finds itself in ”proud solitude”. I mean, for instance, the
consideration of Crimea annexation as exercise of people’s
self-determination right. Such practices exert a negative impact
against the background of relations with EU states. I think Armenia
should persuade its partners in Brussels and new leadership of
European Commission that Armenia is the EU’s reliable partner in this
important region.
– You are leaving Armenia in a period when the situation in NK
conflict zone is rather tense. Since ceasefire regime, this year’s
escalations were unprecedented. EU is often accused of ignoring
Azerbaijan’s arming and bellicose rhetoric. What can you say in this
regard?
– Arms race in this region is really dangerous as a purchased weapon
will one day shoot. It jeopardizes the countries’ economies which
become dependent on those supplying arms. We are well aware who sells
arms to the both sides of NK conflict and what goals are pursued. It’s
justified by the fact that the supplier allegedly tries to maintain
the balance of forces but it can indeed be done on smaller scales.
They don’t need to sell, for instance, 500 tanks to the sides- they
can only sell 50. The escalation of situation in the conflict zone and
restart of military actions can stem from border shootings which may
seem minor at a first glance. Of course, the EU is concerned about all
this but frankly speaking, the EU is faced with more important
challenges now that’s why arms race in South Caucasus is of secondary
significance. However, South Caucasus resembles a “powder keg”.
Yekaterina Poghosyan talked to Zdzislaw Raczynski
– See more at:
http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/interviews/12446/#sthash.MyEeYhRy.dpuf