Polish officials emphasize that, after signing the agreement, the imitations by Armenia will be impossible.
By the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, the visit of Armenian journalists to Poland on June 3-9 will be remarkable by the organizers and the program will be tight: meetings with government officials, experts of scientific centers and representatives of media.
The meetings launched in the residence of the President Bronislav Komorovsky, afterwards in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The advisor to Polish President Ian Litinsky was a member of Polish Parliament for 12 years, as well as a member of “Solidarity” movement. The media group met him on June 4, on the day when Poland was celebrating one of the country’s most important holidays, the Election Day. On that day in 1989, in the result of fair parliamentary elections, the Communist regime in Poland was defeated, and the first non-Communist government was formed. Poles are saying, – “The process began on June 4 with given election, and ended with collapse of one of the most significant symbols of the “cold war”, the Berlin Wall.
Poland joined EU in several stages. In 1999 it became a member of NATO, in 2004 – an EU member. The Advisor to the President Ian Litinsky was telling that there were also political forces in Poland who considered Poland does not need integration with the EU. “9 years later after its membership with EU, however, along with all problems, it should be noted that the membership was also extremely beneficial. Polish cities and villages are developed, the changes are obvious. “EU currently faces not only with financial crisis but also crises of ideas, and the question of what direction EU should be developed in the future, remains open”, – notes Litinsky.
To the question whether the expansion of EU to the East can be considered completed, or there could be new ideas, the Advisor replied, – “This strategic goal of Poland’s foreign policy is the expansion of Europe to the East. To this respect, Poland strongly supports Ukraine, as for Belarus, there are issues where we support to democratic movements, we have supported to Georgia. Poland is interested in European integration of Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania, because in terms of security Poland will also benefit from the bordering democratic countries. “It is worth mentioning that Poland was the author of the idea of Eastern Partnership, the initiator, by essence, which later became Brussels policy. In Eastern Partnership countries, the regulation of issues is beneficial to the whole Europe, – say the Poles, and explain that the security borders are growing up and the market extends.
The meeting of Armenian journalists in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland was also quite interesting. The Head of the Department of MFA in Poland Machey Zhokhovsky, referring to the issues of EU policy in Eastern Partnership and Eastern Europe, emphasized the role of civil society within the framework of EU Association Agreement. “Non-governmental organizations may introduce their suggestions and comments directly to European institutions. The possibilities are great. Pursuant to the Association Agreement concluded between Armenia and EU, Armenia will become stronger from economic point of view; it will be just the beginning of cooperation with EU, it is only the beginning of the road. We hope that within given terms, Armenia will conclude negotiations around EU Association Agreement and around the agreement on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Zone.” But what guarantee is there that the contract will not stay on the paper, and the promises of reform will not just be words. “Signing of EU Association Agreement, in itself, is not a specific art, but its enforcement in everyday life is important. It is anticipated to conduct monitoring of the process, and imitations, here, will be impossible, EU is going to follow the process”, – said Machey Zhokhovsky. The Head of the Department Central Asia and South Caucasus of Eastern Division and MFA, the Head of the former Charge D’Affaire of Poland in Armenia Peter Ivashkevich highlighted the visa facilitation process. “It will contribute to the movement of people, and when people move, they communicate and ideas also come forward. I hope that in the course of the time it will change the atmosphere in Armenia, the public perception will change.” EU Association Agreement, which is over 2000 pages, if the government puts it into life, it can be considered as a revolution, but whether they will display such will, in other word, they will apply European legislation. Peter Ivashkevich, on this occasion said, – “When it comes to the economy and trade, it’s a totally different plane. If any company wants to engage in entrepreneurship in Armenia, it must make sure that the courts in Armenia are functioning perfectly, that it will be possibly impartial judicial processes, that there will be no corruption in the government system. Democracy is first and foremost freedom of business. So, after the signing of the Association Agreement the process of will monitoring and control over obligations assumed by Armenia will start.”
Emma GABRIELYAN
Warsaw “Aravot” daily newspaper
