YEREVAN. – The European assessments, with respect to Armenia’s future relations with the European Union (EU), have somewhat changed, 168 Zham daily reports.

“Now, there are more views that Armenia’s European future is not completely lost, and that Europe itself must fight for Armenia so that the Association and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area agreements continue to remain on the agenda of EU-Armenia relations.  

“The Europeans’ message is very clear: if Armenia is able to withdraw its [Russia-led] Customs Union accession decision prior to the Eastern Partnership summit to be convened in [Lithuanian capital city] Vilnius at the end of November, they [i.e., the Europeans] are ready to initial the Association and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area agreements. 

“At first glance, Armenia’s reconsidering its decision to join the Customs Union and [subsequently] initialing the EU seems unrealistic. But this is unrealistic as much as the prospect of accession to the Customs Union before September 3.

“The Europeans likewise are well aware of this and, in fact, they are giving the Armenian authorities the last chance to reconsider the decision, which they made under the pressure by the Russian side,” 168 Zham writes.

To note, following the talks that were held on September 3 in Moscow between Armenian and Russian Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin, Sargsyan had announced that Armenia plans to join the Customs Union and subsequently engage in the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union. Aside from Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan likewise are members in the Customs Union. And in response to this development, the European Union had stated that the signing of the Armenia-EU Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area agreement is now doubtful.