"Fact" daily writes:
It was as a result of a flexible foreign policy at the time that, being a member state of the EAEU, Armenia was able to not only build but also develop its relations with the EU, the result of which was the conclusion of a framework agreement with the EU in 2017.
But before that, there was never a case of Armenia submitting an open application for EU membership. In this matter, the fact that it is impossible to be a part of the European integration format while being a member of the EAEU was taken into account.
And as a result of joining EAEU, Armenia receives significant economic benefits. After the change of power in 2018, what seemed improbable before became a reality under Pashinyan's rule.
Just as no one could imagine that one day the leader of Armenia will try in every possible way to justify that Artsakh is a part of Azerbaijan, so it was hard to imagine before that, despite not leaving the EAEU, Armenia would submit an application for EU membership.
The situation would be different if, instead of membership, a position was taken to really deepen relations with the EU. But Pashinyan's rule can be compared to the kingdom of crooked mirrors. He and his satellites present such a rationale regarding Armenia's EU membership decision that it is simply ridiculous.
For example, Pashinyan states that the adoption of this decision is conditioned by the existence of the democratic system of Armenia, because there is a desire to be close to the European democratic community.
But the question is that, firstly, Armenia has moved away from democracy much more during the period of its administration, and the sword of political persecution hangs over the heads of the opposition. After 2018, we see how the law enforcement system is used as a tool to oppress people from opposition positions, how the judiciary is harassed, how all independent institutions are covered up, etc.
On the other hand, over-concentration of power levers in the hands of the person exercising the powers of the prime minister is gradually taking place in Armenia.
Pashinyan once promised that there would be an increase in the powers of the presidential institute, but instead only his own powers are increased.
And this reality completely contradicts the democratic principle of decentralizing power and creating counterbalances. By the way, if the EU values democracy as a separate political reality, why does it favor dictatorial Azerbaijan and turn a blind eye to the crimes and human rights committed by the Baku regime? before the flagrant facts of violation and buys energy carriers from that country.
But let's go back to our problems. It is noteworthy that Pashinyan makes the EU membership conditional on the adoption of the relevant law and the initiative of the referendum. In fact, decisive decisions regarding the relations in foreign policy cannot be solved only by the adoption of the law, because it is a two-way process.
The most important question is that we need to understand whether they are ready to accept us in the EU or not. If the EU is not ready to accept us and only has a problem to put a soft pillow under our heads, then we can hold several referendums, adopt dozens of laws, nothing will change.
Another important circumstance is that in the context of the decision to join the EU, Pashinyan emphasizes the factor of conducting a balanced foreign policy with the European Union, Russia and regional powers.
In this matter too, he distorts the reality, because his government did the complete opposite. In particular, in order to gain the favor of Western countries, Pashinyan's government has tried to conduct an anti-Russian policy, to confront Russia, by inciting anti-Russian sentiments in the country, to show that the cause of our misfortunes was not the short-sighted policy it pursued, but the fact that its ally Russia "betrayed" us. .
Although, it should also be noted that this time in the statements he made in Davos, there is a certain softening of his positions regarding Russia, because at one time, in meetings with European officials, he constantly complained that the allies left us alone during the aggression against Armenia.
Perhaps the softening of his rhetoric or to a certain extent "putting it down" is due to the results of the meeting between Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and Lavrov and the results of Pashinyan's last phone conversation with Russian President Putin.
ARTHUR KARAPETIAN
