Latvian FM: Brussels is keen to develop new bilateral legal framework with Armenia

The upcoming fourth eastern partnership (EaP) summit, taking place in Latvia’s capital of Riga, is just days away now. While we have been playing close attention to the challenges continuing to arise from instability along Europe’s southern borders, this summit will also serve as an opportunity to look at the challenges the EU faces along its eastern edge, Edgars Rinkēvičs, Latvia’s Foreign Minister, wrote in The Parliament Magazine.

“The aim is to facilitate a strategic debate between the EU’s 28 member states and its six eastern European partners of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

“The summit will express support for the six partner countries’ territorial integrity and sovereignty. It will also send a clear signal of support for the implementation of association agreements with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

“At the same time, the EaP partner states will be encouraged to continue their necessary reforms in order to meet this ambitious target. The summit declaration must reflect forward-looking language on these countries’ further aspirations in terms of their relationship with the EU.

“The talks will also serve as an impetus for developing ties with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus based on their wishes and expectations. Brussels is keen to develop a new bilateral legal framework with Armenia, and is looking forward to suggestions from Azerbaijan on a political document to be developed,” Mr Rinkēvičs wrote.