Armenian President: Preparing for EU membership requires a change in mentality

Armenia still has a long way to go to prepare for membership in the European Union, President Vahagn Khachaturyan has said, adding that the process involves not only legislative changes but also changes in thinking and in society’s attitude toward European values.

Speaking at a press briefing summing up his official visit to the Czech Republic, Khachaturyan said that the President of the Czech Republic, the parliamentary leadership and other officials have a very positive attitude toward Armenia’s policy of closer ties with the EU and the law adopted in that direction.

“They are very positive about the processes taking place. I think they are also very positive about the law we have adopted, the policy being pursued today and our process of cooperation with the European Union.

They have not said in any way that we cannot do it or that it is impossible. There is no such discussion. They look at our desire and readiness,” the President of the Republic of Armenia said. 

Khachaturyan also presented the Armenian assessment to Czech officials that long-term and consistent work is necessary to meet the criteria for EU membership.

“I specifically told them that I understand that we still have a long way to go. We need to take a long-term approach so that the day comes when we will be ready to say that we are truly ready to become a member of the European Union, and it will be possible to discuss our issue,” he said.

According to the President, Armenia must carry out the necessary work within the country, as preparing for EU membership is not limited to changing laws.

“We still have to go down that road, do that work within the country, because it is not only about changing laws. Essentially, it also has to be a change in thinking and, in many cases, in our attitude,” Khachaturyan emphasized.

He also addressed perceptions of European values prevalent in Armenia, noting that they have sometimes been presented in a way that differs from reality in order to discredit democracy and freedom.

“In many cases, European values have been presented to us differently in order to discredit democracy in general, freedom and the rest.

They have linked them to our traditions, family relations and such issues, but in reality, that's not true. We are now interacting with them and seeing how they live. They all have their own habits, traditions and attitudes toward family,” the President said.

According to Khachaturyan, the reality of European societies differs significantly from the picture presented by anti-Western propaganda. 

“The reality is different, while the propaganda about anti-Western values, which is now also gaining new momentum, presents something completely different,” he said.

Khachaturyan said the positive attitude toward Armenia in the Czech Republic is also due to the fact that Czech partners see that Armenia’s aspirations for integration with the EU are not merely formal and are not limited to statements.

“Their assessment and attitude toward the Republic of Armenia are also conditioned by the fact that they see that our aspirations are not formal, that they are not only words, but are very practical.

Within the framework of those aspirations, when we take one step, they also take another step,” Khachaturyan said.

In this context, the President mentioned the decision of the EU Council providing trade preferences for Armenian products, linking it to the policy pursued by Armenia and the state support provided to businesses facing difficulties.

“What was the EU Council’s latest decision conditioned by? They saw that we are really working in that direction. They saw that the government is providing very serious support, especially to those businesses and business circles that have found themselves in a rather difficult situation.

It is very commendable on their part that the state is actually standing by businesses. It does not matter whether they are small or large, but in this case we were more concerned about the problem of small entrepreneurs,” the President said.

According to Khachaturyan, solving problems was easier in the case of large producers because, for example, large greenhouse farms and flower producers offer quality products that are in demand on the European market, whereas in the case of small producers, it is still necessary to understand the possibilities of their products and their compliance.

The President emphasized that during meetings with Czech officials there was not even a hint of a critical attitude toward Armenia’s European aspirations.

“During those discussions, there was no critical word, not even a hint. They did not say, ‘Do you still know what path you have to take?’ The approach was: you are ready, you have the desire, please.

We are also ready to work with you, support you and give you guidance. This includes carrying out many joint activities with the Czech Republic so that we can be more prepared,” Khachaturyan concluded.

President Khachaturyan was in Prague on an official visit from September 2 to 4. He met with President Petr Pavel, held meetings at the Czech Senate and Chamber of Deputies, delivered a speech at CEVRO University, and met with representatives of the Armenian community.