The decision on Armenia’s associate membership in the European Union (EU) made by the EU Ministers’ Committee meets Armenia’s interests and is in line with its foreign policy priorities, namely, developing European integration, Naira Zohrabyan Chairwoman of the Committee on European Integration, RA Parliament, told NEWS.am.

According to her, associate membership in the EU will allow Armenia to draw closer to Europe and intensify cooperation with the EU member-states. Armenia’s associate membership in the EU will enhance the country’s international reputation. “Armenia will reap not only political dividends, such as a simplified visa system, but also economic ones. Armenia’s economy will get integrated with the European economic system, Armenian products will be more competitive… In short, we will be able to form part of the European market,” Zohrabyan said.

Yesterday the EU Ministers’ Committee made a decision on the South Caucasus states’ associate membership in the EU. A high-ranking European diplomat told NEWS.am that the relevant negotiations are to get under way next year, with special emphasis to be laid on democracy, as all the three states have problems in this field. According to the diplomat, associate membership is hardly different from full membership.

T.P.