YEREVAN. – The EU has become richer and safer over 10 years since EU enlargement has started, head of EU delegation to Armenia Traian Hristea said.

EU Ambassador and other diplomats are participating in the public lecture on the topic of the 10th anniversary of EU enlargement on Wednesday.

In his speech, Hristea noted that joining EU means to join democracy and described enlargement as a big tool of transformation.

The 28 member states have their voice in the world, and enlargement showed that consolidated Europe is a way to implement the goals and interests, Hristea said, adding that eight countries are currently “knocking at EU’s door”.

The diplomat expressed hope that relations between Armenia and EU will develop, contributing to stability, security and prosperity in the South Caucasus.

May 1, 2014 marked the biggest enlargement in EU’s history with Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joining the Union.