EU Membership Decision Requires Serious Research and Analysis: Harutyunyan

“Our approach should be demanding parliamentary oversight,” said Harutyun Harutyunyan in his closing remarks as the candidate proposed by the 'Strong Armenia' faction for the chairmanship of the Permanent Commission on European Integration. He noted that the primary focus should be on the oversight of the fulfillment of obligations undertaken in relations with the EU, the implementation of the CEPA and other agreements, the use of European financial and economic tools for legislative alignment programs, and the fulfillment of obligations undertaken by the government, as well as the outcomes of negotiations and new initiatives.

“Most importantly, the practical impact of this cooperation on the state’s economy and citizens must be considered. We should demand from the government not just an answer regarding which agreement has been signed or which measures have been announced, but what has actually been done and what Armenia has gained as a result. The issue of EU membership is much more serious and strategic than European integration; the latter can be expressed through the implementation of our economy’s European integration process and the improvement of governance quality,” Harutyunyan stated, continuing, “The strategic decision on possible EU membership requires much more serious research and analysis, the involvement of experts and the academic community; only after that should this very important decision be made.”

The opposition MP said that it is essential to examine what the EU expects from Armenia and what Armenia will gain from this integration. “We need to transform the European agenda from political rhetoric into systematic parliamentary work,” said the opposition candidate for the chairmanship of the Parliamentary Committee on European Integration, adding that they desire a strong and systematic relationship with Europe, but the focus must be on Armenian interests.