The director of the CIS representation of Grand Thornton International audit and consultative company Armen Pinarbasi and critic of arts Nazareth Karoyan answer our questions about the Armenia-EU relations.
– During the past years the programs of Armenia and discussions aimed at European integration have become quite active during the recent years. The New Neighborhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership program are in action. How do you estimate this process?
A.P. Let me review the question on the platform of the CIS states. Unlike a range of CIS states, such as Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia is a step forward. I think one of the advantages of Armenia is that it has a big Diaspora. One of the main signals of Armenia’s development is the EU and World Bank support. The implementation of various EU projects has been a huge support and help for Armenia’s development. It is rejoicing that these projects are still continuing. We should also notice that Armenia is able to correctly organize the investment of new changes.
– As a result of these programs Europe wishes to have a more democratic and European standards carrying neighbors. According to you to what extent and when will Armenia be able to reach this status?
A.P. It is hard to give an exact answer but I think that the continuity of such projects is useful for our society. In the world, the lifestyle of Europe, mentality, code of value is a wonderful precedent for all. For this reason, the more support Armenia receives from the EU, the more use it will bring to us. I have been living in France for over 25 years now and I am sure that the European states have a lot to pass on to us.
N.K. Indeed Europe would like to have neighbors, which stand close to its values with their mentality, structure of the society. It means Europe is trying to have a secure, at least neutral if not good neighbors. For me it’s hard to say that Armenia will reach this status soon in spite of the fact that certain political forces are trying to approach us to that as soon as possible. In this regard, it seems that our government has certain will and inclination to reach this phase but it’s quite perfunctory; programmatic and cultural steps are not elaborated to ensure that this day comes soon.
– To what extent does the society feel engaged in this process?
N.K. In general our society feels alienated from the process of determining its fortune and destiny and to a certain extent they are indifferent from the process, in which Armenia is involved both in the aspect of international and internal life forging. In the recent period activation of the public life has become tangible; a new environment is being formed. People have started to understand that their wellbeing and favorable a lot depend on their activation. And we hope that with the reflection of the social life these new buds will become resources to change the situation of our country in the cultural, political, creative and other aspects.