EU Commissioner In Armenia For Partnership Talks

The EU commissioner responsible for European neighborhood, Stefan Fuele (file photo)

YEREVAN -- The EU commissioner responsible for European neighborhood policy travels to Yerevan on September 12 for a two-day informal meeting of foreign ministers from the Eastern Partnership countries.

Ahead of the meeting, Stefan Fuele is expected to discuss with Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian Armenia's plans to join the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.

Fuele has said Armenia's obligations to the Customs Union would be incompatible with an EU Association Agreement that is scheduled to be initialed at a November summit in Vilnius.

Fuele, in a speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on September 11, said Russian "threats" aimed at deterring countries from seeking closer ties with Brussels are "unacceptable."

Nalbandian has said Armenia will continue to seek close cooperation with the EU despite its decision to join the Customs Union.