YEREVAN, Armenia, March 21 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony was held at the Armenian Foreign Ministry on the initialing of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on Tuesday, announced the press office of the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian on Tuesday expressed confidence that the partnership agreement would "open a new page" in the EU-Armenia relations. Nalbandian added that the agreement will be signed this year.
On Feb. 27, during his visit to Brussels, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan announced the finalization of negotiations with the EU over the comprehensive and enhanced partnership agreement.
Armenia was in negotiations with the EU earlier over an Association Agreement that also included a deep economic aspect involving free trade between the parties.
However, in September of 2013, Armenia made a surprising U-turn by announcing it was seeking membership in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union instead. The government then explained the move as a need to tighten security ties with Russia.
