By Anna Ghazaryan
YEREVAN. – An interview of the Ambassador of Lithuania to Armenia Mr. Erikas Petrikas with Armenian News -NEWS.am.
You are an ambassador of the country presiding over the Council of the EU. How do you assess the situation after Armenian president announced country’s intention to join the Customs Union? What are the prospects for future relations between the EU and Armenia?
For Lithuania’s presidency, Eastern Partnership has been a priority from the very beginning of initiation of this project. This program is a key priority for us today and I think will remain so in the future. We view the entire process not only at this stage, but also look to the future to see what will happen beyond the summit in Vilnius. Each country has its own peculiarities, and we respect all the decisions that are made. Each democratic and free country has a right to make a decision. We are carefully following the situation. Immediately after the meeting between Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian traveled to Brussels and Vilnius, which we believe is a positive signal. The message of the Armenian side is as follows: Armenia will continue to participate in the Eastern Partnership. For us it is the most important thing. We look at the prospects for development of relations with the belief that the solution will be found.
Do you share the view of some analysts that Armenia’s decision is explained by certain inaction of the EU towards Armenia’s policy, in particular the issue of opening border with Turkey, Karabakh issue ?
I would not agree with the fact that the EU was passive. As a new ambassador, I can not judge the entire path, but I looked through the plan of cooperation between Armenia and the EU which was signed in 2006. With each year the programs were increasing, let alone the development program which only in 2011-13 made €157 million as compared with €98 million in 2007-10. But of course it is not only about numbers. You always have to look at society, values, everything that moves us forward. I think in this regard EU did much. I have recently heard a sort of a rebuke to the EU regarding the donor conference, which did not take place in Armenia. However, if you even look at the history of the preparation for the conference, I would not agree about the timing. The EU Ambassador confirmed that the Union received a formal request for the preparation of the conference only at the beginning of 2012. I mean, we are talking about a year, not five years. The EU has made all possible steps, knowing that Armenia sat down to negotiations on the Association Agreement later than other states, but managed to catch up to other countries.
In recent years, Lithuania and Armenia repeatedly spoke about the need to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including law enforcement and educational areas. What are the prospects for cooperation in the light of recent events?
As a new ambassador I had many meetings, including those with president, prime minister, parliamentarians and heads of ministries. I am encouraged by the fact that many ministers expressed their desire to continue cooperation with Lithuania. However, going to the practical steps, we saw that some of the draft agreements were signed back in 2007-2008. This, of course, is alarming. When I raised this issue, both sides were pointing at each other. It is important that in every area we must see what exactly should be done. I am pleased that concrete steps have been made in the social sector, law enforcement and education.
I have to mention culture. With the help of your Ambassador in Lithuania and the Minister of Cultur,e we organized an exhibition of Sergei Parajanov’s works in Vilnius. In Yerevan, we started with a concert of the Vilnius University. On October 2 an exhibition of Lithuanian photographers will open in the Armenian capital. I think that we need to strengthen cultural ties, as we used to live together. People have not forgotten our common past. Also, one of the priorities is tourism. Despite the difficulties in flights (there are no direct flights between the countries), people are trying to find ways to visit Lithuania. The beauty of Armenia, as well as safety (Armenia is the safest country I have worked in) has great potential for tourism development.
How do you assess the economic relations between our countries? What are the areas that Lithuanian companies can be interested in?
The development of economic relations is an obvious priority for Lithuania in Armenia. To date, the business contacts are rather weak. I believe it will be possible to find common interests. I met with the Director General of the Armenian Development Agency, the chairman of the Armenian Union of Industrialists, and we tried to find common interests. Another priority for me is to organize a business mission in 2014. Armenia has recently opened its first free economic zone. We passed this stage long ago and are ready to share the experience. I have no doubt that the Lithuanian side will show interest in the free economic zone. Lithuanian businessmen are showing interests and asking me what fields are interesting. I am pleased that a Lithuanian IT company is operating in Armenia. IT sector is important both for the banking industry, energy and agriculture. If you look at specific areas of cooperation, I can pick out the furniture, the pharmaceutical industry.
In your opinion, what are the prospects for settlement of Karabakh conflict? What can really help the parties to come to an agreement on this issue?
Our position has not changed: we are for stability in the region and exclusively peaceful solution to the conflict. All parties must do everything possible to find the strength to make this process move forward. Lithuania supports the Madrid Principles and the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group. We believe that only a peaceful solution to the conflict can contribute to stability in the region.
Armenia and Lithuania repeatedly said there is cooperation in the defense sector. What is the nature of this cooperation?
Cooperation in the military sphere can be viewed as an exemplary. It continues for many years. We are grateful to Armenia for its participation in NATO operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo. We are pleased that Armenia continues to participate in the operation in Afghanistan. The program of cooperation between the defense ministries of Armenia and Lithuania is based on an agreement, an annual plan which involves the exchange of students. This cooperation has continued for many years, perhaps for the reason that both Armenian and Lithuanian ministries were headed by strong figures. I was pleasantly surprised by the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia. I think Lithuania has a lot to learn from you, this applies to the Interior Ministry and the fire department.
