‘Free From External Pressures’: UK Minister on How He’d Like to See Armenia

"The EU’s eastern neighbours are an integral part of Europe. They share our European history and culture, and seek to build an independent and prosperous future as sovereign nations free from outside pressure and influence. Their importance to the EU is unmistakable," said Rt. Hon. David Lidington MP, Minister of State for Europe at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, in an op-ed issued during the third Eastern Partnership Summit, taking place in Vilnius on Nov. 28 and 29. 

"In Vilnius the leaders of the European Union are meeting with representatives of our nearest neighbours to the East. At the summit Georgia and Moldova are initialling Association Agreements, marking a new stage in the EU’s relationship with these important partners, and recognizing the significant commitments they have made, and action they have undertaken, to equip themselves to meet the challenges of the 21st century. 

"Armenia has taken the decision not to join Moldova and Georgia in initialling an Association Agreement at Vilnius. This is a disappointment. The UK remains keen to see Armenia and the EU work together to continue Armenia’s reform process, free from external pressures," Lidington stated, adding that he hopes for "further EU engagement" with Azerbaijan, as well, hoping that "momentum can be built in negotiations towards an Association Agreement." 

And finally a word about the EU's relationship with Ukraine:

"The EU door remains open, and this is our message for Ukraine too. It was deeply disappointing that the government of Ukraine announced last week that it had decided to put signature of an Association Agreement on hold. I sincerely hope that the Ukrainian government will resume its preparations to sign the Association Agreement soon; and I urge them not to lose a moment in effecting the reforms that the country needs. Ukraine’s leaders have a historic choice before them, to embrace the long-term vision of a European future and the prosperity and stability which that brings, or to turn the clock back and turn away from the world’s largest and most successful trading bloc. "