After Vilnius, before Riga, new developments are expected in the EU-Armenia relationships. To understand the situation created after the Vilnius summit, the “European package” will be discussed with the Eastern Partnership countries: Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. Aravot.am asked the leader of Democratic Party of Armenia Aram Sargsyan whether the “European package” is a new chance for a closer relationship. Mr. Sargsyan said, “As far as I understand, it involves quite serious commitment to the Association Agreement. We should not oppose to Europe, rather than if we have chosen the political vector with which Armenia wants to proceed, it should keep going with this path to the end. Trying to shift from one place to another will be unserious attitude towards the public policy. The European relationship should be seen in the dimensions, which do not conflict with the activities that are associated with the European integration process. Given the events in Ukraine, the authorities of Armenia should be consistent in their actions and act relevant to the decisions. If they do not contradict one another, the package can also be discussed.”
The package referring to Russia says, “The punitive practice over Eastern Partnership countries is unacceptable for the EU.” On this occasion, Mr. Sargsyan said, “I would not accept such a point and would not even consider it. The state itself should decide on what kind of relationship to shape with this-or-that country. If the authorities fail to protect their own national interests, there is no one to blame here.” In this regard, vice-president of “Heritage” party, Armen Martirosyan, said the following, “We need to get familiar with the contents of the entire package to give assessments. If the document resolves contextual problems, it will be a chance. If it is a procedural document, naturally it could be considered for “a pro-forma”.
Tetev HARUTYUNYAN
