Former Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan currently holds a different position on European integration, ruling Civil Contract MP Sona Ghazaryan said, commenting on his article, “The Illusion of EU Membership,” in which he described Armenia’s accession to the European Union as unrealistic.
“In a democratic society, every citizen and former official has the right to hold a different position. Mr. Grigoryan currently has a different position on European integration,” she said, Panorama.am reports.
Ghazaryan suggested asking Grigoryan himself why he had chosen to publish the article at this particular time.
“Mr. Grigoryan has expressed almost the same position during discussions. Of course, I disagree with certain points, but I repeat that Mr. Grigoryan is a trusted colleague. He possesses important background information on which he has based his reflections,” she said.
Asked whether the publication could signal Grigoryan’s political ambitions or an attempt to establish a so-called state-centered opposition, Ghazaryan said she saw no problem with either possibility.
“I cannot answer that question on Mr. Grigoryan’s behalf, but again, I see no problem with it. What would be wrong if Mr. Grigoryan were to announce his political ambitions?” she replied.
Addressing Armenia’s European integration prospects, the lawmaker recalled that the country had adopted a law initiating the process of accession to the EU. She described it as an important decision that had created a new political reality which needed to be acknowledged.
“European integration processes have reached a stage where they are irreversible and are based on institutional foundations,” she said.
In his article, Grigoryan argued that although EU membership might appear attractive, people often confuse what is desirable with what is possible.
“When assessing Armenia’s prospects for EU membership, a number of political, geographical and economic circumstances must be taken into account, making this goal unrealistic,” he wrote.
