YEREVAN. – Armenia and the European Union have completed the first stage of negotiations for a new and comprehensive bilateral agreement, Mr Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, said Monday in Yerevan at a joint briefing with Armenian President, Mr Serzh Sargsyan.

Armenia has chosen not to make use of the European Union's offer of an Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. The EU fully respects this choice, he underlined.

Albeit , for obvious reasons, there are certain limitations on the extent of economic cooperation, but Europe will stand ready to deepen relations with Armenia by working together for open markets, a better business-investment climate, and sustainable development.

In any case, the EU stays committed to support Armenia in a whole range of political and social reforms, and to improve the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, he added.