“We support stable issues to the issues of Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as Nagorno Karabakh. What do we offer? We offer support and facilitation of those processes. Since last summer we have told the government of Armenia that we are ready to do more but anyway the decisions will be made by these two countries and I am just a mediator. Mediation does not mean to make proposals and mediations, it means to create an environment for the parties to find a common solution,” Andrea Wiktorin, the EU Ambassador to Armenia, told the journalists at a press conference answering the question that Armenia has declared about the age of peace but the statements in Azerbaijan do not seem to foster that.
The Ambassador added that it will be better if both sides do not enter into conspiracies. She reads interesting messages in the media, which, in her opinion, can affect the process, while the process should be transparent, as the Prime Minister of Armenia has started. She clarified that the goal of the EU is to achieve a stable solution to the problem and, in this regard, they will continue the meetings and their efforts to give everyone an opportunity to live in a peaceful and secure environment. It was announced in 2021 that the EU will provide Armenia support of 2.6 billion, including for the development of infostructures. Journalists asked what work had been done? Andrea Wiktorin clarified that it is a grant by Europe for 5 years, and also loans, the rest will be private investments aimed at the implementation of those projects.
There are five directions for infrastructure developments in Sisian and Kajaran, these are very popular projects. The Ambassador also explained that there should be programs that are subject to funding. She also added that the program on “green busses” in Yerevan has already been signed and it’s likely that those busses will already be in Yerevan in October-November.
Andrea Wiktorin said that they want to support the region of Syunik in different spheres, and it’s not an accident. “I love that place very much. We are implementing many projects there with COAF. We want to succeed; we still have time to discuss it. We need further discussions with colleagues from different countries. We visited Syunik with female Ambassadors a few weeks ago. That was very important.”
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According to the Ambassador, the women of Syunik have inspired them with strength. “They are ready to do something, do much more, the civil society has a great potential to support these questions. We would like to seem more.”
One of the journalists asked why they give importance to Syunik, the Ambassador replied, “All the EU Ambassadors visited Syunik last year to observe the situation. We cannot discuss it with Azerbaijan but we can support you to facilitate the situation. We can, for instance, President Michel’s letter … to Aliyev and Pashinyan, where we offer assistance. This can be expert support. The discussions continue and I am sure that those discussions will have results.”
Answering the question on the internal situation in Armenia, the demonstrations, and the actions of disobedience by the opposition which are aimed at preventing the so-called “Zangezour corridor” plan, Andrea Wiktorin said that Armenia cannot avoid demonstrations. They observe the situation, they have seen many situations which raise questions, moreover, she also raised a question saying that the police should obey the law and the police should not be unpunished. But on the other hand, according to the Ambassador, there are different ideas about peaceful demonstrations. What decisions should be made in case of provocations?
During her stay in Armenia for 2.5 years, Ambassador Wiktorin has always thought about how the EU should act to combine democracy and show economic progress to the people of Armenia. In this regard, she is convinced that a strategy is needed and the answers to these questions should be found in the reactions of the citizens of Armenia. Ambassador Wiktorin said that they appreciate the statement made by Prime Minister Pashinyan on April 30.
“We are ready to work hard with the EU delegation and the government of Armenia to strengthen this cooperation,” said Anne Louyot, Ambassador of France to Armenia, who was also present at the press conference, adding that they are ready to support all the efforts of the government of Armenia to strengthen peace in the region in this most difficult period when there is a war in Ukraine.
France has taken over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months. The Ambassador assured the journalists that they will try to maintain the autonomy of the EU, including the politics, and support Europe’s partners. According to Anne Louyot, Europe is a unique open space and they want to share their ambitions and values with their partners. They are also aware of the existing challenges and are looking for solutions.
The Ambassador also touched upon the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) within the framework of which, according to her, there is a high level of dialogue and cooperation. She also emphasized that they, as mediators, support the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and cannot make proposals – disagreements must be settled by both sides.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
