The delegation headed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is in Brussels on an official visit, where meetings with EU and NATO leaders are taking place. It is the first visit of the post-revolutionary leader of Armenia to Europe and, of course, it is of great importance. Neither this nor the previous governments of Armenia have declared that they are pro-European, pro-Russian or pro-American, and that is right: building a policy on the “pro-” platform brings serious problems. There is the same danger, of course, in being “anti-” any country or international organization. All governments have claimed that they are pro-Armenian and Armenian-centered, operating exclusively for the interests of Armenia, and this claim is theoretically true as well, but the question is whether it is the reality.
However, I would like to know what value system the current government and political forces support. In this case, it is no longer possible to say, “I believe in Armenian values”. In that case, it should be said that reliable elections, freedom of speech, the rule of law, the division of power, independent courts are merely Armenian values. If we admit that they are supreme values and, on the other hand, are not applicable in all countries of the world but are applicable in Armenia, then the adjective “European” is definitely conditional, but quite acceptable. It is a civilizational, a cultural choice, and one should not be afraid of it. On the contrary, it should be voiced and reflect the problem in political programs.
When I say that I support “European values”, it does not mean that I do not respect the values of other nations. In Japan, for example, when the head of the corporation leaves the building, all the subordinates bow to him with the angle that defines their position in the hierarchy of the corporation. People in Japan do not swim in the sea until the emperor announces the beginning of the swimming season. Does that mean that the Japanese have “wrong values”? No, they have created such a country that many nations of the world can only envy. I respect the Japanese technology, industry, ability to organize the life in megapolises, and, of course, the powerful Japanese culture. But I am sure that Japanese values are not applicable in Armenia. In particular, I think anyone may swim in Sevan whenever they want.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
