The following is a press release issued yesterday by the European Commission in Brussels regarding the statement made by RoA President Sargsyan that Armenia would be entering the Russia-led Customs Union.

In July this year, after three and a half years, we finalised the negotiations of the Association Agreement (including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area) with Armenia. This agreement would allow Armenia with the EU´s support, to drive forward a programme of comprehensive modernisation and reform based upon shared values, political association and economic integration.

We take note of Armenia's apparent wish to join the Customs Union. We look forward to understanding better from Armenia what their intentions are and how they wish to ensure compatibility between these and the commitments undertaken through the Association Agreement and DCFTA.  Once this consultation has been completed, we will draw our conclusions on the way forward. We want to underline once again that AA/DCFTA is a blueprint for reforms beneficial for all and not a zero-sum game and could be compatible with economic cooperation with the members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

(Photo of EU President José Manuel Barroso courtesy of www.telegraph.co.uk)