We Have No Time to Wait, and This is a Strategic Decision: Deputy Foreign Minister

Armenia is ready to be as close to the European Union as the EU deems appropriate, and today the Armenian society is awaiting a response while the "door of opportunity is open." This was stated today by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vahan Kostanyan during a panel discussion titled "Europe Whole and Free: A Renewed Commitment to European Security" held as part of the Strategic Forum in Bled.

The Deputy Minister responded to a question regarding what expectations guide Armenia to become closer to the West and how much Armenia wishes to deepen its ties, particularly with the EU. "We need to assess the time we have been given, because someone may come in through the door and kick us out of here. We have no time to wait, and this is a strategic decision made by the Government of Armenia. We know what we want. We want to be in an environment that shares the same values with us. The people of Armenia have European aspirations, and the Government of Armenia has European aspirations," Kostanyan said.

According to him, the Armenian government is implementing reforms not to satisfy European partners or provoke other partners, but because this is the mandate given by the people during the revolution in 2018 and reaffirmed during the 2021 parliamentary elections, when the people, according to the Deputy Minister, confirmed that democracy is inviolable.

"Despite all the challenges we face—great hybrid threats—we are moving in the direction guided by our people. We need to work very hard, but that is not only up to us," Kostanyan added.