Achieving status of state compliant with EU standards our interim key  goal - Nikol Pashinyan 

ArmInfo.  As a result of political processes, we are making the transition from a geographically unfavorable, even dire, situation to an impeccable geographic  position.  Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this on May  5 during a press conference following the first-ever Armenia-EU  summit.

He noted that Armenia previously cited its geographic location to  explain existing problems, but now it must serve as a tool for  realizing the vision of a sovereign, free, independent, prosperous,  and secure country. "And these are truly historic changes," Pashinyan  said.

The head of government also drew attention to the statement adopted  by the EU, which calls on businesses to invest in the Armenian  economy. Since independence, Pashinyan noted, Armenia has been  considered a high-risk investment zone. Now, the EU, at the highest  level, encourages and invites investors to invest in Armenia. "This  is of historic significance; we have never heard anything like it  from our international partners," the Prime Minister remarked.

He also pointed to the significant prospects for cooperation in the  energy sector, which will allow for the combination of Armenia's  resources and technologies available to the EU. Specifically,  Pashinyan expressed gratitude to his partners for their willingness  to facilitate the development of storage capacity. He also touched on  joint work on developing green hydrogen and other areas.

"Strategically, we are confident that, based on a well-designed  architecture, Armenia can not only become self-sufficient in energy  but also increase its export potential in this sector," he said,  noting that transport connectivity also plays an important role in  the bilateral agenda. Touching on the law adopted last year to  initiate Armenia's accession process to the EU, Pashinyan called it  an additional incentive for achieving the status of a state that  meets EU standards.

"This is our interim key goal, as we understand that no country can  become an EU member without meeting its standards," he said.