– Mr. Navasardyan, how does the Armenian society perceive the European values? Do you agree with the opinion that we are more Asian than European?
– Our perception of Europe is very limited and we don’t understand that Europe is very different. If we understand Europe better and deeper, it will not be scary for us to become Europeans. As for the debates whether we are Asian or European, I think these are useless because we don’t have so much similarities with any Asian state as with the Eastern or Southern countries of Europe. There are no other obstacles rather than stereotypes to become like the Europeans.
– Do you mean these stereotypes are enrooted in our society and they are the main obstacles of the process?
– By saying stereotypes I mean the ones we have about Europeans. If you mean social and political stereotypes, Europeans may have their stereotypes as well. I mean that it cannot be an obstacle to become a part of Europe. The stereotypes about Europeans are creating serious obstacles and this is the main obstacle that should be overcome. I think these stereotypes are first of all the result of being isolated. Most of our people have not generally been to any other country. If you are not socializing with other people and don’t find common things with them, it seems to you that you are so unique and different that cannot be integrated with another society. We don’t understand what Europe is and we have established a strong stereotype about Europe. In fact Europe is very unique and one of its values is the fact that this unity is able to unite different people with different characteristics. In order to overcome these stereotypes first of all we had to get acquainted with Europe. Mass Media and the Eastern Partnership project have a solid role in this process. One of the main four directions of the Eastern Partnership is the human contacts, which will help us understand what Europe is.
– What is the reason of this inadequate approach to Europe? Is the reason the policy of the government or you can specify other reasons as well?
– Of course there is a problem with the government as well because when they are criticized in international institutions for the failures in the domestic politics they say that our mentality is different. It was a protective reaction on part of our government and this reaction penetrated into the society as well. I don’t blame the government only for this failure; many other political powers are doing the same too. For example, when the government signs a cooperation agreement with Europe and launches cooperation, many powers criticize both the government and such documents, which harm the image of Europe and European institutions in the country. There is an understanding in this country, according to which as soon as we become EU member, all connections and traditions within our families ruin. It is a wrong understanding.
– On November 16-17 you participated in the meeting of civic society representatives from the countries covered by the Eastern Partnership project, which took place in Brussels. Can this project influence on the public perception?
– This forum was a unique event and was introductory event. It was very effective. The projects for journalists were effective as well. There was a project of the European network of journalists, which involved journalists from Armenia too. These journalists got the opportunity of study visits to a number of European countries and institutions to get acquainted with the European traditions closer so that they inform the society as well. The forum invited and involved people who believe Armenia is a part of Europe. In fact the Eastern Partnership is the first European project implemented in a country, and for the first time Europe institutionalizes the participation of the civic society in a project. If during the past projects the participation of the civic society was desirable, this time it is mandatory. The first civic forum in Brussels resulted in certain documents. Four recommendations were worked out in compliance with the four platforms to develop cooperation between Armenia and Europe. These are the first recommendations to describe the nature of the cooperation in the scope of the Eastern Partnership project between the EU and six partner countries. There is no other document at state level yet. It means that the civic society reacts faster and works better in this direction than official institutions, which is the wish of the European Commission too. If this forum works effectively, it may have a great influence on the formation and development of the agenda. Now people gather in the parliament and vote for any document they are told to vote for, but if you see how serious the discussions are there and how good these four recommendations are, you will understand that it rejects any irresponsible and negligent work toward this cooperation.