YEREVAN, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- Armenia and the European Union (EU) are going to sign a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement in November during Eastern Partnership Summit in Brussels, an EU official said here on Monday.
It is in the interests of the EU to have strong, prosperous and stable Armenia in the South Caucasus, which will contribute to the further stabilization of the neighborhood, European Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn told a press conference.
Thanks to a new agreement, "the European Union will provide a serious support to Armenian businesses," said Hahn.
According to the European commissioner, the agreement would show that Armenia, as a part of the Eurasian integration process, is simultaneously establishing a comprehensive and enhanced partnership with the EU.
There were several important parts of the EU-Armenia agenda, ranging from visa liberalization to assistance to small and medium-sized enterprise development, noted Foreign Affairs Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbadian, who also attended the press conference.
"The preparations for the Brussels summit were an important part of our discussions," said the minister.
Armenia and the EU initialed the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement in March.
Armenia was in negotiations with the EU earlier over an association agreement that also includes a deep economic aspect involving free trade between the parties. However, in September 2013, Armenia made a surprising U-turn by announcing it was seeking membership in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union instead. The government then explained the move as a need to tighten security ties with Russia.
