Following Armenia’s refusal to sign the European Union (EU) Association Agreement, it is necessary to clarify all the issues prior to starting a new process with Armenia.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt stated the aforesaid in response to the RFE/RL Armenian service’s query on the future of Armenia-EU relations. 

According to Bildt, it needs to be clarified as to the direction in which Armenia wants to go.

“We [EU] certainly want to continue relations with Armenia. [But] at the same time, it is strange that after several years of negotiations, everything turned out differently in 24 hours,” the Sweden FM said.

He added that the Customs Union (CU), which Armenia wants to join, offers few opportunities for free trade. 
“The customs duties there are quite high, which puts certain restrictions on the economic policy of the country. But the choice is Armenia’s,” Bildt also noted.

The Swedish foreign minister added that Armenia itself must solve its problems, since the CU accession likewise is not going so smoothly.