Speech by President Serzh Sargsyan at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation

Values and Principles of Armenia-EU cooperation

Mr. President,
Esteemed Attendees,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am happy to once again be the guest of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. I have excellent recollections of the gathering which took place two years ago at the Berlin Center of the Foundation. Today, we are having this meeting at the capital of the united Europe which once again testifies to the fact that the ideas of Konrad Adenauer – a political figure and a true patriot – on the united Europe are more than viable.

I would also like to express gratitude to Mr. Pottering, whom I respect greatly, for his cordial words and his constant attention toward the problems of our region. I am very pleased that our cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation has become permanent.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

For us, Armenians the European system of values is intimately close. And it is quite natural because our heritage, values, culture and identity makes the Armenian nation an indivisible part of Europe.

Today, these very values and principles constitute the cornerstone of Armenia’s Eurointegration policy. Since the reestablishment of our independence in 1991, we had not only reasserted our sovereignty but also obtained historic opportunity to rediscover Armenia’s European road of development.

Twenty years ago, when Armenia was doing first steps as a newly independent state, only a few realized the complexity of the issues and seriousness of the challenges. Years later, through our own experience we understood that the establishment of a state based on democracy, liberal economy and the rule of law cannot be realized through a wishful thinking only; it’s impossible to introduce or duplicate them but rather to get to that mentality and, this is also very important - to carry the entire society there – diligently, patiently, and steadfastly.

I should state proudly that our nation has been gradually restoring its democratic traditions whose roots run back into centuries. Two facts: Back in the middle of the 18th century, when Armenia was languishing under the domination of the Ottoman rule and Persian interests, the Armenian patriots were developing programs of liberalization for the country and inspired with the ideas of French Enlightenment of English Parliamentarism drafted the future constitution of the country. Through that constitution, named “Vorogait Paratse”, they were declaring in the future parliamentary republic the sovereignty of the people, rule of law, representative democracy, division of power, social protection, constitutional justice and other principles; citizens were endowed with the freedom of speech, faith, individual freedom and freedom of activities. How noble were the ideas these people were inspired with, and how dreadful the reality was.

Another noteworthy example was the adoption of the National Constitution in 1860, in Western Armenia, which was under the authoritarian rule of the Ottoman Empire. Some years later, as a result of the pressure from the European powers, it was agreed to by the Sultan as well. The Constitution envisaged formation of the representative bodies of the Western Armenians through the general and secret elections. Needless to say that the Ottoman authorities didn’t put up with that progressive breakthrough by the Armenians and at the first opportunity terminated the effect of that Constitution. As for how ended the clash of the Armenian progressive thinking and the appalling Ottoman reality; it is well known to anyone who’s familiar with the world history. However, coming back to our reality from this excursus in history, I would like to share with you my expectations and impression of this visit to Brussels.
I should note with satisfaction that in recent years and particularly after the commencement of the Eastern Partnership program, Armenia-EU cooperation has registered a qualitatively new progression. For the last two years, we have been negotiating actively and efficiently over the Association Agreement and its text has been mainly agreed.
Creation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Zone is also critical for Armenia, and negotiations on that issue will be launched already this month. Considering the fact that EU is Armenia’s number one trading partner – export to EU makes almost fifty percent of our total exports and import from EU makes almost one third of total imports to Armenia – this Agreement provide will Armenia with a chance to enhance economic growth through the creation of a contemporary, more transparent and predictable business and investment climate.
Days ago, the negotiations on the visa regime facilitation and agreement of readmission started in Yerevan. It has critical importance for the facilitation of the people-to-people contacts, making Europe and its values more accessible for the Armenian youth, businessmen, students, artists, scientists and other groups. I should also note that the “home-work” on the preparation for these negotiations has been done by our Government long ago but once again had to face group levelling, which I believe is not a helpful approach.
Multifaceted and comprehensive cooperation with EU is visibly present also in Armenia’s internal agenda. The main goal of the large-scale internal reforms conducted in Armenia is to change structures in the political, judicial and social-economic areas, bring them in full compliance with the requirements of a democratic country with a liberal economy. Currently, we have undertaken drafting of a comprehensive reform program which will result in a much more efficient system of administration and a more competitive economy which will translate into a considerable improvement of the living standards in our country. We have been greatly assisted on this issue by the European Union. Armenia has been the first EU partner state which invited a high-level advisory group to the country. It has been on the site assisting Armenia in developing and implementation of the reforms agenda.
Armenia’s Eurointegration is not possible without integration with the political parties. With this regard, quite recent accession of three Armenian political parties, including the Republican Party of Armenia chaired by me, to the European People’s Party is a truly historic event. Such integration provides the political domain of Armenia with an excellent opportunity to communicate closely with the political culture based on the European system of values and to introduce it to our internal political life.
In May, Armenia will hold parliamentary elections and presidential elections next year. We have set a goal to conduct these elections not only in full compliance with international standards but also to make them the best since our independence. All necessary steps have been taken to amend the Election Code, improve election processes, provide for pluralism in the media and to ensure full freedom of demonstrations and manifestations. However, I believe the most important thing is to strengthen public trust toward elections and democracy building. After all, no one is more interested in these processes than the people of Armenia.
Dear Friends,
Policies of rapprochement with Europe are not only an axis of internal reforms, but also a pivot of the foreign policy agenda. “We attach importance to EU’s involvement In Armenia and South Caucasus not only because EU is a global player, but first of all because it is the best model of nations’ peaceful, secure and sustainable development. Our vision of the South Caucasus’s full-fledged development is anchored in the values and understanding which made possible Europe’s success. I am confident that we can have a secure and developing region exclusively through a common system of values. Our region really needs enrooting of the understanding of common values, development of the security agenda and formation of an integrated economy, particularly considering peculiarities of our region and multiplicity of the existing challenges.
Today, I can state with confidence that Armenia is close to Europe and the European system of values not only in the sense of state-building but also because of our performance – a reliable partner in both regional and international context. Armenia advocates resolution of all existing problems through political negotiations, consensus, and respect for the positions of all parties, through peaceful means. We are ready to do our best to prevent catastrophic developments, dangerous confrontations, creation of new dividing lines and have proved with our actions the seriousness of our intentions.

It is equally true for those regional economic programs which, unfortunately, are designed to involve some countries and isolate others, deepening existing dividing lines. And it is being done in this complex phase of globalization when integration processes going on in different parts of the world are viewed as an avenue to promote economic development and security which actually has no alternative.

We naturally favour the approach that the region should be involved in major projects. However, the capital – financial or political - which is being accumulated in the process of the implementation of such projects must not be used to undermine regional security. It is clear that energy resources of the neighbouring state are attractive and certainly important. However the goals that the revenues from those energy resources are used for are not less important. It’s high time to face the reality lest through someone’s irresponsibility our region once again becomes a hot spot. I am confident that anyone – a sovereign state, or an international corporation wouldn’t like to assume an indirect responsibility for new violence and bloodshed.

Armenia remains committed to the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict based on concessions and exclusively through peaceful means in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. Although, years-long negotiations have not solved the conflict, we nevertheless have been able to avoid a new war. We have also been able to define more exactly the unity of the three fundamental principles which serve the base for the resolution of the conflict: non-use or threat to use force, the right of people for self-determination and territorial integrity.

Unfortunately, we were also disappointed in our expectations regarding the normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations. Moreover, our most pessimistic hunches became true, and we spoke about it frankly with our partners. We believe that the window of opportunities opened with the signing of the Zurich protocols should be used to the utmost, otherwise the setback will take us not to the starting point but much further.

Unfortunately, our efforts which needed considerable political capital were aborted by the Turkish side which refused to respect agreements and set forth preconditions. Now, I can state with confidence that there is hardly a political force in Armenia views Turkey as a reliable partner. It was hard enough in the past, but now the situation is altogether different. Our country is still under blockade and borders are still closed which violates the letter and spirit of the international law. Moreover, the anti-Armenian statements of the high-level Turkish officials have become common. Large anti-Armenian demonstrations are being held in Istanbul and again centuries-long slogans to wipe out Armenians are being voiced. These calls remain unanswered; moreover, no other that the Minister of Interior of Turkey participates in these demonstrations. We are grateful to the European Commission which days ago expressed its concern with such developments. All this bring us to very particular conclusions and threats to our security become much clearer to us as well as the means to prevent and thwart them.

However, all this cannot ruin our vision of a secure and stable region, and I am confident that sooner or later other actors in the region will come back to the same approach. Meanwhile, we, supported by our partners will continue to do our best to once again prove one simple truth that the most stable and secure region can be created through cooperation and that piling up of armaments, war-mongering, closed borders, refusal to establish normal relations, futile efforts aimed at the isolation are not conducive to the security of all those who are guided by that very mentality and approach.

Dear Friends,

In conclusion, I would like to stress that regardless of the problems and challenges existing in the region, Armenia has resolutely chosen a truly democratic way of state-building. We are striving to build a country where the human rights are duly respected, a country where the judicial and court system is genuinely independent, a country which promotes equal competition in the political and economic fields, and most importantly, a country where democracy is not just a form but also the content. This is the only way to have a developed country and prosperous nation, and we are determined to achieve that goal

• Speech by President Serzh Sargsyan at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation