Pashinyan: Armenia's biggest challenge in EU accession process is compliance with European standards
YEREVAN, February 12. /ARKA/. The biggest challenge facing Armenia in the process of the country's accession to the EU is compliance with European Union standards, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Wednesday.
“This is the most crucial challenge - for us to meet the EU standards in governance, the fight against corruption, economic transparency, accountability, civil society, democracy,” he said during a government Q&A session in parliament.
According to him, his government has a positive attitude towards the initiative to start the process, also because it corresponds to the concept of a balanced foreign policy.
He said when this bill is finally adopted to become a law, the citizens of Armenia will be given “a full menu of foreign policy.” He also noted that the balanced approach to foreign policy will have a positive impact on the country’s security, as the balance of relations impacts the security environment.
At the same time, he pointed out that it is important to form correct expectations, as the adoption of the law does not mean that Armenia becomes a member of the EU or a candidate for membership.
Pashinyan also said that the start of the EU accession process balances some foreign policy risks.
“We have serious risks and we talk about them openly. And our answer to these risks is a balanced foreign policy. Anyone who follows the news even a little realizes that now the planet is the most dangerous place to be. Therefore, step by step we must ensure stability through balance,” he said.
On February 12, the Armenian National Assembly approved in the first reading a draft law on starting Armenia's accession to the EU.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated earlier that Armenia can become a member of the EU only if the people approve this initiative in a referendum. He pointed to the need to discuss and develop a joint roadmap with the EU.
Pashinyan said also that Armenia has no plans to break economic ties and reduce the trade turnover with the EEU and Russia. According to him, Armenia is seeking to diversify its economic ties and wants to increase trade turnover with the European Union as well.-0-
