ArmInfo. On January 20, Armenian Minister of Economic Development and Investments Suren Karayan and Luc Devigne, Director of Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, OSCE and Regional Cooperation of the European External Action Service, discussed issues of trade and investments under the new Armenia-EU framework agreement.
The press office of the Armenian Ministry of Economic Development and Investments has told ArmInfo that the meeting also covered issues related to the activities of the Armenia-EU Cooperation Committee co-chaired by Suren Karayan and Luc Devigne. The sides agreed to continue the discussion next month to finally coordinate the topical issues during the negotiations.
To recall, on 13-14 December 2016 Brussels hosted another round of talks in the context of the new Armenia-EU framework agreement. According to the Armenian Ministry, more than half of the 12-13 items regarding trade and investments have already been agreed upon. Armenian Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investments Garegin Melkonyan said in Yerevan on December 7 that issues related to measures of protection of intellectual property rights, provision of subsidies, as well as sanitary and phytosanitary control and economic competition were still to be negotiated. Melkonyan said that all the issues are addressed with due regard for the requirements of the local legislation and Armenia's commitments to the third countries. As regards the dates of signing of the new Armenia-EU framework agreement, Melkonyan said that the signing of the document is in the offing.
According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, in Jan-Nov 2016 Armenia's foreign trade turnover amounted to $4 576,3 mln (up 8% versus Jan-Nov 2015). In Jan-Nov 2016 Armenia's trade with the EU totaled about $1 093,2 mln or 23.9% (up 1.9% versus Jan-Nov 2015), while the trade with other countries amounted to $2 098,1 mln or 45.8% (up 9.4% versus Jan-Nov 2015).