“I hope that we are starting today a beautiful journey”, said the Head of EU Delegation in Armenia Piotr Swetalski during Euroclubs Summit’s opening ceremony.
The Summit attended 25 Euroclubs members from all the regions of Armenia. The main aim of the Euroclubs is informing and educating young people about the EU institutions and EU-Armenia relations.
He said that there is still a gap concerning the knowledge of European Union in Armenia: “This gap of course is big for ordinary citizens. The gap exists everywhere, even at the professional level. In many countries including in Armenia European Union is mentioned in one line with many other international organizations, but there is a big difference. The difference starts with the fact that me being a citizen of Poland, I can say that I am a citizen of European Union. I cannot say that I am a citizen of United Nations, I cannot say that I am citizen of Council of Europe or citizen of OSCE, but I can say I am a citizen of European Union”.
Piotr Switalski noted that in Armenia there are little facts about European Union: “If you go round Yerevan, you can spot the flag at my residence, at some embassies of EU member states. Very few people in Armenia know that the European Union is the biggest international donor to Armenia. We spent in average 50 million euros, Americans spent 25. We do a lot, but few people know about it”.
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The ambassador added that the European Union doesn’t have any geopolitical agenda in Armenia: “Our main objective is simply to build a strong bridge between us and Armenia as an integral part of wider European family, as a country which is a part of European identity, as a country which deserves to live a better life. And this is our occupation, our only concern”.
Ami CHICHAKYAN
