Negotiations on Armenia`s membership in EU may last for years and  decades and end in nothing - MP

ArmInfo. Negotiations on Armenia's membership in the European Union may last for years and decades and end in nothing. This is what former Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia from the opposition faction "Armenia" Armen  Gevorgyan writes in his article on the website of the Alternative  Projects Group.

According to him, the only "useful" aspect of the adoption of the law  on the beginning of the process of Armenia's accession to the EU for  certain circles in the country will be the pre-election speculation  on this idea. There is a danger that political manipulation and the  use of the European idea, both in the context of confrontation with  the East and for domestic political purposes, will lead to the  discrediting of this idea.

The MP noted that the perception of the attractiveness and prospects  of Europe by ordinary citizens will gradually deteriorate, as  expectations will not correspond to reality, and membership will  remain unattainable. As a result, this will lead to new  disappointment in Armenian society. The law itself may turn into an  anti-Armenian instrument, rather than an opportunity to expand the  boundaries of development, just like the ratification of the Rome  Statute. "This did not bring any benefit, but only caused new  tensions in relations with Russia, which Baku is actively using,  putting forward the thesis of waiving claims in international courts  as a precondition for signing an illusory peace treaty. The adoption  of the law will give Russia the opportunity to speak to Armenia in  the language of constant demands.

Meanwhile, countries with strategic interests in the region (China,  Iran, India) will note that they clearly do not fit into the  framework of BRICS or the region. Everyone will talk about Armenia's  sovereign right to choose, but in reality they will be guided by the  calculation that this choice should correspond to the interests of  specific states and unions," Gevorkyan noted.

In addition, the politician continued, we must not forget about the  pro-Azerbaijani "gas" coalition within the European Union. "These are  countries that receive Azerbaijani gas, thereby serving the  geopolitical interests of the Aliyev family and hindering initiatives  related to us. By the way, this is the second case when Azerbaijan,  not being a member of the organization, can have a significant  influence on its decisions regarding Armenia. Is it possible to  realize the European dream? First of all, we need to gradually  abandon the widespread archaism of our thinking and social behavior  patterns. It is impossible to solve the problems of modern social  development and strive for perfection, while being guided by old  methods of governance, turning democracy into a dictatorship of the  majority, promoting selective justice, deepening social polarization  and confrontation. For centuries, our ancestors preserved their  national identity and culture without entering the European path of  development, and this has left its mark on our thinking, worldview,  way of life and traditions of public life. Eastern thinking and  Eastern character have become an important part of our lives, and  today it is difficult to say for sure whether we are more Eastern or  European when it comes to family, gender issues or the protection of  minority rights. Is our society ready to accept the most liberal  values and traditions of modern European society as a norm? That is  why, first of all, we must find Europe within ourselves, to be sure  that Europe is waiting for us," the former Deputy Prime Minister  emphasized.

Moreover, as Georkyan noted, the Armenian people must be honest with  themselves and with Europe, since for the overwhelming majority of  the Armenian population, the main expectations from the European  perspective are connected with the possibility of a visa-free regime  and the hypothetical readiness of Europe to protect us from external  threats. "EU membership talks may last for years and decades and end  in nothing. By the way, the membership referendum may also fail.  Therefore, instead of a distant and difficult-to-implement prospect  of EU membership, it is necessary to offer a pragmatic plan for  deepening relations with the EU (not membership), which will be  mutually beneficial, practical and will have negative results for the  citizens of Armenia. In addition to the general political agenda with  the EU, as well as the programs already being implemented, it is  necessary to focus on five main areas: confirmation of the visa- free  regime, on the way to which it is necessary to focus on achieving  success in this issue within the next 1.5-2 years. This will be the  first and tangible success for the citizens of the country. Moreover,  the solution to this issue largely depends on the Armenian side  itself, which must be able to at least ensure the issuance of  biometric passports to citizens. No less important is the "Discover  Armenia" program, the goal of which is to increase the number of  Armenian tourists from EU countries who are not representatives of  the diaspora. We are talking about 500 thousand people per year with  a growth rate of 7-8% in the coming years. This will enable the  service sector in Armenia to become sustainable and developing  (hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, air transportation, etc.). It  is necessary to initiate a special information and advertising  campaign on Armenian heritage and tourism with the support of the EU.

We should also pay attention to the EU's assistance in the field of  defence. If the EU is really ready to support Armenia's security,  territorial integrity and sovereignty, it should provide Armenia with  modern defence equipment and weapons, not just tents and gas masks,  through the European Peace Facility. If this is not feasible, we can  discuss a programme to create a modern civil defence system  throughout Armenia.  And, of course, expand trade cooperation. Within  the framework of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced  Partnership Agreement (CEPA), it is necessary to achieve new economic  opportunities that will increase the export of Armenian goods to the  EU in order to diversify markets and improve the quality and  standards of products. We need to increase exports from Armenia to  the EU to 1.5 billion euros, a 2.5-fold increase. For example, the EU  could develop a special branding programme to introduce Armenian  wine, fruit juices, vodka, jams and drinking water to the European  market. This will contribute to the creation of new and the  preservation of existing jobs in the agricultural and processing  industries, as well as to the reduction of migration flows from  Armenia to the EU. It is important to pay attention to the  development of an innovative economy and the stimulation of  repatriation with the support of the EU. In this direction, it is  necessary to promote the development of an innovative economy in  Armenia and launch a joint repatriation program that will help  Armenians return to their homeland and engage in science, high  technology and industry," the parliamentarian emphasized.

The mentioned programs, according to him, will bring Armenia an  additional 1.5 billion euros in economic benefits, 1,000-1,500 new  jobs will be created every year, the negative migration balance will  be reduced, turning it into a positive one.