European Party of Armenia: EU membership can protect Armenia

YEREVAN, June 21. /ARKA/. Armenia should seek European Union membership for the sake of its own security, Tigran Khzmalyan, leader of the European Party of Armenia, said in the parliament during a hearing on a potential referendum to join the EU.

“First and foremost, we need a solution to ensure the security of our country and our children, as well as the very existence of our people, and to preserve our statehood. The European Union is the right solution. It is clear as day now that [Armenia should seek to join] the EU and NATO,” Khzmalyan said.

Europe will share Armenia’s values and respect its culture and identity, he added.

Khzmalyan also noted that ethnic Armenians would only be able to return to Nagorno-Karabakh if Armenia becomes a member of the EU and NATO.

An open hearing on a potential referendum regarding Armenia’s application to join the EU, attended by the political parties that are not represented in the parliament, such as the European Party, was held in Armenia’s National Assembly on Friday.