Alexey Vlasov, Editor-in-Chief of Vestnik Kavkaza, said, commenting on the talks about formation of a free trade zone of the EU and Armenia concluded last week, that such deal was part of the association agreements of the EU and the Eastern Partnership. Such zone would simplify traffic of Armenian products to the EU market, he noted.
The expert reminded that the agreement had a political aspect: expansion of EU influence in the post-Soviet space and operation of economic reforms. The agreement proves interest of Armenia in the European integration project, rather than the Eurasian initiative. Vlasov explained that Armenia chose Russia as a security vector and Europe as a vector for modernization of public and economic relations.
Commenting on economic aspects, Vlasov said that Armenia imported about half of products from the EU. Its main trade partners are Germany, Spain, Bulgaria, Belgium. Western states invest more in Armenia. Stefan Fule, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, said that the free trade agreement will not affect economic relations with Russia.
