No real EU integration exists- opposition lawmaker

ArmInfo. The prerequisite for Armenia and Azerbaijan's membership in the Council  of Europe was that these countries should resolve the  Nagorno-Karabakh issue exclusively through peaceful negotiations.  Regardless of whether administrative control over Artsakh is in the  hands of Armenia or Azerbaijan, Artsakh has always been the territory  of the Council of Europe. Edgar Ghazaryan, a deputy from the  opposition "Strong Armenia" faction, stated this at a session of the  National Assembly on August 19.

Reflecting on recent regional conflicts, Ghazaryan argued that the  21st-century war, the displacement of the population of Artsakh, and  subsequent events must be evaluated strictly through the lens of  human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

He questioned what concrete steps the Armenian authorities have taken  to address these developments within the framework of European  values, noting that while Armenia has historically cooperated  extensively with the European Union under the Comprehensive and  Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), practical outcomes for  everyday citizens remain discouraging.

"And now, what has been the result of the visa liberalization  negotiations? An increase in visa refusals, longer queues, higher  fees, and mass deportations of Armenian citizens from European  countries," Ghazaryan said. "Is this how you want to present your  so-called European integration to us? There is no integration at  all."