What are the regional developments prompting?
By Mher Ohanian
Yerki/arm
March 04, 2005
Talks and declarations about Armenia’s European orientation can been
heard more frequently now, and especially after the statement of the
European Union’s Council of Ministers last June calling for inclusion
of the three South Caucasus countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia)
into the project “Extended Europe: New Neighborhood.”
What would Armenia gain from joining that project and what are the
prospects of integrating into the European economic structures?
Alternatives to the integration
It is apparent that no country can develop its economy and reach
prosperity in isolation. Even large countries with rich resources are
not able to do that let alone small countries with limited resources
like Armenia.
However, it is obvious that a mere implementation of a poverty
reduction strategy project is not enough to have European integration
ambitions. The European standards are not set solely on the poverty
reduction requirements, though it plays a great role.
Becoming a member of the European Union — even in distant future
— means that Armenia should adopt adequate legislation as well as
mechanisms of its effective implementation, curtail the corruption
that has reached unbearable sizes, as well as develop human knowledge
and skills.
But most importantly, to join the European family of nations, it is
essential to adopt and respect democratic laws and rules, making them
a way of life and behavior. Obviously, such orientation requirements
stem from the European structures and traditions.