I mentioned in my opening speech that we have collected 60 thousand signatures in half the time allotted and from only 44 enlarged communities of Armenia. The number of communities in Armenia is more than 1000.
This indicates that we can collect 300 thousand signatures, and if a constitutional referendum is held, it will gather enough votes to become a law.
This was stated by Artak Zeynalyan, the authorized representative of the initiative group for the launch of the process of Armenia’s accession to the European Union, in his final speech in the National Assembly, speaking about the draft law “On the launch of the process of the Republic of Armenia’s accession to the European Union”.
“There is also operational information on this. I am sure that this is operational information, or I assume that the people of Armenia are in favor of joining the European Union, or, more precisely, of launching the accession process.
We also had a draft on amending the Constitution, in the transitional provisions, exactly the same provision as is provided for in the Constitution of Georgia, that the constitutional "The bodies are doing everything within their powers to ensure that the Republic of Armenia integrates and joins the European Union. However, we have analyzed, weighed and decided to follow this path, which gives the Republic of Armenia maximum flexibility. We feel responsible because we have initiated a law, and it is not only for our personal interests.
It is for the common interests of the Republic of Armenia," said Zeynalyan. Regarding the criticism that this is a false agenda, he noted that if there is no agenda, why is this law being discussed in such an extensive manner, and why are there so many speeches.
According to him, this indicates that “this is an agenda issue.” Speaking about the mood of the people, Zeynalyan recalled what the mood of the people was when the document on joining the EAEU Customs Union was being signed.
“If a free referendum were held, how would the people of Armenia vote? Would they agree to Armenia joining the EAEU Customs Union? I am sure that they would not. The moods at that time also said that the people of Armenia did not agree to Armenia becoming a member of the EAEU.
Now we are bringing it legally so that this path can be started. One of the deputies says, will his grandchildren see the EU? If we psychoanalyze what he said, it means the following: he dreams of the Republic of Armenia becoming a member of the European Union, and the rest is already an excuse for why they are going to criticize and vote against this,” Zeynalyan added, also referring to to the opposition's counterarguments.
"The main counterargument is the following: what if we lose the EAEU market? Another counterargument was raised that we are married to the EAEU. And is the EAEU one or are there many?
We believe that economic development is with Europe. Those EAEU countries also take all that from there," he said.
According to Zeynalyan, they brought this draft law so that Armenia would express its political will to move towards the EU. "This process is irreversible, the people are in favor of this," he concluded.
