ARMENIA MUST NOT BE DIVIDED INTO RICH CAPITAL AND POOR REGIONS
Interview of UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Lise Grande to ARMINFO News Agency

INTERVIEW WITH RA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER ARTUR BAGHDASARYAN

Q: Do you think Armenia will be able to join the European Union in the future?

A: Armenia's membership in the European Union should be one of the key priorities of our country's present and future foreign policy as the EU membership will open new avenues for Armenia to move to a new geopolitical milieu as well as a new economic environment and will enable Armenia to have access to a completely new security system. It will accord us an opportunity to genuinely introduce values that are at the core of the driving forces fueling the progress of the contemporary world in our age. And the world is advancing at a quite steady pace.

Q: And when will it become possible?

A: It will depend on the rules of the game that Armenia will be ready to endorse. Thus far, being a member of the Council of Europe today, we have not fulfilled all the obligations assumed on the entry into this organization. This means that the timeframe will, first and foremost, depend on the course and pace of reforms in our country, the degree of responsibility we choose to take upon ourselves and, certainly, it will also be conditioned by external factors. I think that if the country pursues the aim of developing democracy, if the country pursues the path of holistically introducing the rules of the game adopted in the European family, I am convinced that we may be warranted to talk about an EU membership of not only for Armenia but also for our region. Ultimately, those who hamper the course of peaceful democratic transformation provoke bloody revolutions.

Q: In your opinion, when will Armenia be able to apply for accession negotiations? How can we prepare for that?

A: I think that today it is yet too soon for Armenia to apply for initiating accession negotiations for joining the European Union. It is too soon because our country is not prepared yet either politically or economically. To begin with, we must first consolidate and reveal ourselves as full and deserving members of the Council of Europe. We must first reform our legislation. We must upgrade the processes in our country to the European standards by following the experience of the Baltic states, for example. Only then will we be able to file a request for initiating the EU accession talks. I consider premature initiation of the accession process misguided. Particularly when it was known that Georgia and Ukraine intended to make such attempts and the EU response was quick to follow.

Q: What factors affect Armenia's integration process with the European Union?

A: The factors involved are numerous and multifaceted. In-depth studies on the EU's development into an integrated entity in terms of other countries' accession into the EU should be conducted. The entry of the East European countries into the EU in recent years was accompanied by a quite complex and protracted process which entailed introduction of democratic, legal, social, economic and political reforms in many sectors of these countries' state structure and social life. Naturally, these reforms were mandated by the essence of the EU integration process. This means that uniform rules of the game are established for everyone. Whoever wants to enter the EU must abide by all the rules of the game. And this means that all negative factors hampering integration processes must be eliminated. Armenia is confronted with many such factors. First and foremost, I have in mind the need for significantly expanding the real scope of democratic reforms in Armenia, developing legislation in line with the EU standards, staunch application of the adopted laws, consistent fight against corruption, and many other factors. Today, we may say that on both the democratic and economic frontiers and in other aspects Armenia is faced with numerous factors that affect the country's full integration with the EU. It takes consistent and purposeful work to overcome these factors.

Q: What changes may the failure of the EU draft constitution entail in the future plans of the EU?

A: The failure of the EU draft constitution, in my opinion, promptly brought further expansion to a standstill. This standstill was also an opportunity to understand the psychology of the new Member States of the Union, as the core states of the EU, i.e. France, the Netherlands, Germany, other countries and their societies were not de facto prepared yet for such expansion in scale. One of the reasons accounting for the failure of the draft constitution in the two countries was that an expanded Europe must be able to come to grips with the philosophical and psychological factors of the newly acceding states. Certainly, economic factors as well. This means that the inflow of cheap labor into the European countries naturally causes some concern among the societies of these countries who fear a cheaper labor market may seriously undermine their living standards. There are other considerations as well, in connection with Turkey's pending entry into the EU. There are factors that are conditioned by political considerations. The bottom line fact is that there was a real need for a hiatus and, as some time goes by, the process is bound to resume.

Q: What perspectives do you see ensuing from the manipulation of the "Armenian question" in Turkey's accession process: Will Europe ensure compliance with the set requirements or does it simply wish to gain some time?

A: If today Turkey wishes to become an EU member, it must fully meet the EU criteria. And this also entails establishing good-neighborly relations with Armenia. A country that wishes to gain membership in the EU must be bold enough to find a solution to the problems plaguing the Armenian-Turkish relations; this refers to the recognition of the Genocide and establishing diplomatic relations. The same also applies to the Cyprus problem. In this context, yes, the European countries and structures may take advantage of the problems related to Armenia. I do not think that this is only a matter of gaining time. Neither do I think that the approval or rejection of Turkey's membership application merely hinges on its problems with Armenia. Simply, it must be one of the requirements, and Armenia's foreign policy must be flexible. The more proactive we are in properly presenting Armenian issues in the European organi-zations, in key European countries, the higher expectations we can have in terms of truly efficient solutions being made.

Q: Does Armenia have an alternative to membership in the EU?

A: Any country has alternatives at any given time. It is another matter as to where a given alternative will lead the country to. I believe the EU is the best alternative available to Armenia, if it does become a reality some day. For it will enable us to integrate our country and society with the civilized world and to ensure a worthy lifestyle for our nation.

Q: What will be the status of the NKR if the three South Caucasus states are accorded a joint membership in the EU?

A: I do not wish to talk about the NK status today as the negotiation process is underway. It is pointless to talk in terms of "ifs" and "whens", there is no need to outpace the due course of events. All of us must simply be aware of the fact that the EU needs a conflict-free Caucasus and we must muster enough courage to rid ourselves of conflicts and establish good relations with our neighboring countries. Ultimately, the promise of progress means more to me than the sad memory of the past.

Q: In your opinion, what are the main expectations of Armenia from its possible EU membership: high living standards, increased political clout and resolution of problems, democracy and due protection of human rights, etc.

A: The listed expectations and many others that have not been enumerated here. The enumerated benefits provide sufficient motivation for Armenia to seek EU membership.

Q: What can Armenia offer Europe? What can potentially become a key motive for the EU?

A: The distinguishing feature of the European Union as a new model of union of states is that the Member States preserve their traditional national character. Dozens of nations maintain their individuality in a single political and economic structure while upholding their loyalty to their millennial traditions. I think that Armenia will bring its cultural individuality to the European Union, an opportunity to initiate a dialogue between the West and the East. We should not forget that our geographical position had reserved us the role of a crossroads in the past, and why not also in the future?

26 September, 2005
Tatevik Shahunyan, ARMINFO