ArmInfo.Armenia may extend the mandate of the EU mission in the republic for another 2 years. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan announced at a press conference on March 12.
The Prime Minister recalled his earlier expressed idea that Armenia is ready to be closer to the European Union, as much as the EU considers it possible. What is also important is the people's opinion about the level of closeness with the EU they are ready for, he added.
According to Pashinyan, now relations between Armenia and the EU are very active. "And I hope that a number of decisions will be adopted in the near future that will be a manifestation of this strong cooperation," the prime minister said.
In particular, according to him, we can talk about both the resumption of negotiations on the liberalization of the visa regime and the provision of preferential conditions for goods produced in Armenia. Another area of interaction could be deepening relations in the field of security, expanding opportunities and extending the mandate of the EU mission in Armenia, for example, for another 2 years. "We have a very broad agenda, and we are ready to further expand it," Pashinyan noted.
Notably, according to the media, at the beginning of March this year, at a closed meeting with the Civil Contract faction, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia should apply to join the EU no later than the fall of this year. It was noted that the PM made it clear to his associates that the West demands from Armenia practical steps to distance itself from Russia and oust it from the region. In this situation, Armenia has no choice but to fulfill these demands, since "Russia has long ago turned its back on Armenia".
Recently, in an interview with the Turkish TRT World, head of the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Ararat Mirzoyan said that Armenia is actively discussing the idea of joining the EU.