In Greece and Armenian Ambassador to Albania Tigran Mkrtchyan stressed the need to further strengthen relations between Armenia and the European Union.
Ambassador Mkrtchyan spoke about this in an interview with Financial Mirror's.
In an interview, the Ambassador also touched upon the relations between Armenia and Cyprus, the "Peace Crossroads" project presented by the Armenian government on the talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the peace agreement. "Relations between Armenia and Europe are on the historical maximum.
In the past, the level of our relations has never been so intense, so intense. "We are actively cooperating with the EU on a comprehensive and enlarged partnership agreement, but now we are talking about strengthening the cooperation through the new agreement," said the Ambassador to the high level of cooperation between Armenia and the European Union. He stressed the ratification of the Rome Statute by Armenia, as well as the agreement with Europe. Tigran Mkrtchyan also highlighted Armenia's participation in the European Peace Foundation's plans, as well as the activities of the EU Observation Mission in Armenia, the mandate of which was recently extended for another two years. Ambassador Mkrtchyan also noted that various polls in recent years show that the Armenian society is actively supporting the country's course.
He also reminded that the Armenian parliament adopted the project to launch the EU's EU membership in the first reading, which was presented by the "Euro-" civic initiative, collecting the number of signatures to submit a draft law on the discussion of the parliament. "Of course, this will demand a lot of work, bureaucracy, but who said that everything will be easy? No one claims that it will be easy.
We have to cross that path, no matter how difficult it is. But I think it's for the benefit of Armenians and, in general, for the benefit of Armenia's prosperity, "the ambassador said. Speaking about Cyprus and Armenia's relations (ed. Tigran Mkrtchyan also took the post of RA Ambassador to Cyprus from May 2022), the ambassador said that Cyprus has provided enormous support to Armenia.
"We have never relevant to the rejections in our relations, and it is mutual. Armenia has always supported Cyprus, whether bilateral or multilateral levels, "said Mkrtchyan. The partners welcome Armenia's constructive position on relations with its neighbors, "he said. He added that there is a very constructive and healthy dialogue between Armenia and Cyprus in the field of defense.
"I am very glad that I have been able to contribute to the process, connecting it with Greece," he said, reminding the Armenia-Cyprus-Greece trilateral platform. Speaking about the "Crossroads of Peace" initiative presented by the Armenian government, the ambassador said that it will contribute to the development of the region, but will make the region a unique node for major international crossroads.
"The potential of" crossroads "if they are implemented, if they are accepted on all by all parties, it is huge. Fortunately, there were very positive feedback, including Greece and Cyprus. Georgia and Iran have also responded positively.
So, as a result, we need to persuade our partners especially in the east, of course, Turkey can play a decisive role in it. If everyone agrees, it will be a wonderful idea to implement it, "Mkrtchyan said. Touching upon the talks on the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Ambassador Mkrtchyan reminded that 15 of the 17 articles of the draft contract agreed.
He stressed the importance of the fact that the commissions of Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding meetings and are working to demarcate.
In addition, the presence of the European Union's observation mission contributes to peace, but we sometimes hear a very aggressive and hostile response from the Azerbaijani side, "said Tigran Mkrtchyan," said the EU's observation mission on Azerbaijan and the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
According to the ambassador, the political will and the strengthening of trust between the parties are important in achieving the agreement on the peace agreement.
"Will Azerbaijan be able to find enough strength to move forward, normalize relations with Armenia, sign a peace agreement, to leave its aggressive and hostile rhetoric," said the ambassador.
He stressed that hostile rhetoric and threats from Azerbaijan are not constructive and do not help the peace process. According to him, the position of the Armenian government is to remain committed to the peace agreement, as far as possible. "Of course, it is like a tango, we need to have a partner. If the other side constantly rejects, he hits, he tries to humiliate, you will not go a long way.
So we also need to be careful, "the ambassador said. Touching upon Azerbaijan's attempts to suspend armaments by Azerbaijan, the Ambassador said that Armenia is carrying out defense reforms, and the country has the right to make it a full-fledged sovereign.
According to him, it is the right and duty of the leadership of each state to ensure the security of its people. And the acquisition of each defense system for that purpose is an integral recognition of each country.
