ArmInfo. For the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) is important to have partners outside the EU, and in this context, we very much appreciate our relationship with the Armenian National Congress. The vice-president of the Alliance Bach Mortensen stated at a press conference in Yerevan on February 16.
He noted that the main task of the alliance is the building of liberalism, and expressed hope that liberal values will gain wide popularity in Armenia. According to him, the fundamental principles of liberalism are freedom of speech and freedom of choice, protection of human rights, independence of the justice system, etc. At the same time, the Vice-President noted that the ALDE representatives never interfere in the internal affairs of their partners, as each country has its own national characteristics.
Mortnesen also touched upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, saying that this conflict is very complex in its structure. "All political forces in Europe are in favor of a peaceful settlement of this conflict, and we believe that it should be resolved within the framework of OSCE Minsk Group. If there is a desire to resolve the conflict, then we need to make efforts for this, and not to destabilize the conflict," Mortensen concluded.
Deputy Chairman of the opposition party "Armenian National Congress" Levon Zurabyan noted that ANC representatives are the only members of ALDE in Armenia. He stressed that ANC representatives with their European counterparts discussed ways of liberalism development in Armenia, taking into account all the complexities and peculiarities of Armenia. "The sphere of business should be developed for the development of liberalism in the country, and trade should also develop. There are both external and internal obstacles for Armenia to develop this sphere. The external obstacles connected with the blockade of Armenia by Turkey and Azerbaijan," Zurabyan said. , noting that in addition to this, the issue of confrontation between the EU and the EAEU is also acute.
The politician said that since the relationship between Europe and Russia is extremely tense recently, it is difficult for Armenia, as for the member of the EAEU, to carry out free trade both with the EU member states and with the countries that signed the association. "Trade with our neighbors is very important for us, in this case, our trade with Georgia is complicated, since Georgia is the country that signed the association with the EU." In this regard, I believe that Armenia and Georgia, given their centuries-old friendship, should reconcile the two warring parties and become a bridge between the EU and the EAEU," Zurabyan said.
The politician also said that internal problems related to trade are no less important than external ones. "Monopoly and corruption are flourishing in Armenia, the whole elite has divided the entire range of imports into Armenia, so this sphere in our country is not competitive, but we believe that this can not continue more and one of the main issues on the agenda day of the Armenian National Congress "is to find a solution and break this vicious circle," concluded Levon Zurabyan.
ALDE includes 60 member-parties from 40 European countries.