Armenia`s being close to EU must not pose threat to its security -  opposition MP

ArmInfo. Armenia should be as close to the EU as this closeness will not threaten its security and existence. This was stated on February 12 in the National  Assembly of the Republic of Armenia by Armen Rustamyan, a member of  the National Assembly from the opposition faction "Armenia", during  discussions on the draft law "On the beginning of the process of  Armenia's accession to the European Union".

As the MP noted, the document presented by the initiative group has  no prospects in the foreseeable future, which is understood by almost  everyone. A number of politicians, Rustamyan noted, have the  erroneous opinion that the process that has begun will lead to a good  result, but it should be borne in mind that the republic is a member  of a number of other international organizations, in which it is  impossible to combine.  "It will not happen that it is stated that  over time, when the country joins the EU, these issues will also be  resolved. We are starting a process that is extremely vulnerable and  will ultimately lead to the emergence of more than serious problems,"  the MP said, pointing out the presence of three main problems. First  of all, the process that has begun in Armenia does not meet the  criteria of the EU itself. In addition, the concepts of "and, and"  are changing to "either, or", which can lead to even greater problems  for the country. And finally, the Comprehensive and Enhanced  Partnership Agreement, which is often mentioned, is the best format  for Armenia, ensuring a comprehensive partnership with the European  Union. The oppositionist continued that they want to replace this  document in the country with some other process.

Rustamyan noted that joining the EU is a bilateral process, despite  the fact that it requires the consent of all EU member states. There  is a large group of countries that have been waiting for years, if  not decades, to join this structure without receiving the  corresponding consent. In the case of Armenia, as the parliamentarian  emphasized, we are talking about a unilateral process. "But there is  no need to pass a law for this, only an official statement from the  government is needed, after which negotiations should begin, but this  is not being done. Even within the framework of the Comprehensive and  Enhanced Partnership Agreement, which provides enormous  opportunities, little has been done," the oppositionist stated,  adding that Armenia should be as close to the EU as this closeness  will not threaten its security and existence.

The National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia has been discussing  the draft law "On the beginning of the process of Armenia's accession  to the European Union" since February 11. A day earlier, while  presenting the document, former RA Justice Minister Artak Zeynalyan,  on behalf of the civil initiative that collected over 50 thousand  citizens' signatures for the adoption of the bill, outlined the goals  of the bill.  According to him, the document is a confirmation of the  will and determination of the country's people, its current  authorities to join the EU - the family of advanced, civilized and  developed humanity. The adoption of the law will determine the  direction, scale of decisions, as well as practical issues facing  both the current and future authorities of the country. "In the  current geopolitical situation, the law, as well as the form and  means of its adoption, will increase Armenia's resilience," Zeynalyan  noted. He expressed the opinion that the adoption of the law will  make democracy, citizen participation in public administration, the  rule of law irreversible, and will restore faith and confidence in  the predictability of state policy. 

"The adoption of the document will contribute to the establishment of  peace and stability in the region, restoring the balance of power,  increasing the ability to ensure Armenia's national security. This  step will also contribute to bringing the national army of Armenia in  line with the modern standards of the armies of EU member states. It  will also contribute to the continuous development and protection of  human rights, the creation of economic security mechanisms by  eliminating existing monopolies, diversifying the economy, increasing  productivity and quality of goods and services, which is possible  only through cooperation with the West and the EU," the main speaker  emphasized.