Goal of referendum on Armenia`s European integration withdrawal of  Russian military base from Armenia  

ArmInfo. The initiators of the referendum on an application to join the EU are pursuing the only  goal - the withdrawal of the Russian base from Armenia. A similar opinion was expressed during a press conference on June 25 by former Prime Minister of Armenia Khosrov Harutyunyan.

Noting that EU membership is a rather long and labor-intensive  process, he referred to the Turkish, Georgian, Moldavian and  Ukrainian experience. European integration requires, according to the  ex-prime minister, in-depth analysis not only in the economic field  and in the security sphere, but also in the legal and judicial  systems, in the field of protecting human rights, public  institutions, etc. Harutyunyan emphasized that this is a serious  process, within the framework of which certain demands will be  presented to the state. He noted that the Armenian public naturally  has a desire for the European system of values, since the latter is  not alien to us. Moreover, Armenia shares many European approaches.  Consequently, the results of the referendum on European integration,  the agenda of which pro-government political forces are now trying to  promote, may be positive.

"It is clear that in the end we will not be accepted. But at the same  time, the European Council will point out to us our security  problems, the presence of a Russian base on its territory, and answer  that it cannot accept us like that. Therefore, the next step, even  before membership, will be the withdrawal of the Russian base from  our country. The referendum pursues precisely this goal," Harutyunyan  said. The former government official noted that he is far from  impressed by the policies pursued in Russia, but is well aware that  Turkey is a country that, in order to achieve its goals, will be able  to find reasons to invade neighboring countries. "Syria, Libya,  Cyprus, etc. Vivid examples of this," he added.

Touching upon the so-called "Zangezur corridor", Khosrov Harutyunyan  asked the question - what is stopping Turkey from provoking military  action and entering Syunik by force? <One factor is Russia. That  Russia, which today supports Turkey in everything, and,  unfortunately, Azerbaijan, does not realize the full importance, I  say this with good reason. Russia understands well that Syunik is the  most important strategic point in the South Caucasus. She can't give  it up. Therefore, if their military presence does not help us in any  way, it does not hinder us either," the former prime minister noted.

He once again stated that the initiators of the referendum are using  it not so much for EU membership, but to create legal grounds for  Russia's withdrawal from Armenia. "I see serious threats here. The  public must soberly assess what is happening. We must understand that  by holding a referendum, we will not become members of the EU, but we  will lead the state to new problems," Harutyunyan emphasized.