We Will Study the Decision of the Armenian Government: EU Ambassador

“We have been informed about this decision and are preparing to examine it,” EU Ambassador Vassilis Maraghos said in response to a question from Azatutyun regarding the Armenian government's decision to approve the draft law on the initiation of Armenia's accession process to the European Union (EU).

He noted that the European Union has very close relations with Armenia and is working to deepen them.

“We have the ‘Resilience and Growth’ program (under which 270 million euros are to be allocated to Armenia), and we are engaged in discussions with the Armenian authorities on all issues related to EU-Armenia relations, which are moving in a positive direction,” Vassilis Maraghos emphasized.

When asked if he sees an opportunity for Armenia to join the European Union, Ambassador Maraghos highlighted that if the country wishes to join the EU, it is its decision. “There are provisions in the EU treaty that explain how accession should take place,” he added.

But does the EU await Armenia in its club? Vassilis Maraghos stated that the EU is firmly committed to deepening its relations with Armenia.

“As you know, we are negotiating a new partnership agenda. We have also announced the ‘Resilience and Growth’ program, which we are currently in the implementation phase of,” the EU ambassador noted.

The government approved the draft law on the initiation of Armenia's accession process to the European Union yesterday. The authors are members of the pro-Western ‘Eurayk’ group. They had collected over 60,000 signatures, exceeding the legally required 50,000, to submit the bill to the National Assembly by November.

The executive’s positive stance on the project was explained by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister through the intensive relations between Armenia and the European Union in recent years.