At present, the “free horserace” principle is in effect in relations with Europe: which of the countries will be the first to carry through the necessary reforms to get integrated into the European family, Naira Zohrabyan, Chairwoman of the Commission on European Integration, RA Parliament, told NEWS.am, speaking of the negotiations for Armenia’s associate membership in the European Union (EU) started on July 17.

Associate membership will enhance the quality of Armenia’s politico-economic cooperation with the EU, which will enable the country to get integrated into the European family provided it carries through all the reforms as soon as possible. Ms. Zohrabyan, as well as the European experts shed talked to, has no doubts Armenia will be able to carry through the reforms. Many independent European exerts are inclined to think that Armenia is prepared for associate membership. “Although the associate membership does not provide for the participating countries’ rapid integration into the EU, the highest-level integration into the European family has been one of the foreign policy priorities of Armenia,” Zohrabyan said.

As regards many European experts’ statements that Azerbaijan was not de facto prepare for negotiations for associate membership and was involved in the program for an integrated approach to the region to be maintained. “I cannot but agree with the fact that, in contrast to Armenia, totalitarian Azerbaijan is not prepared for negotiations for associate membership in the EU. It is time for Europe to show a differentiated approach to the regional countries instead of viewing the South Caucasus as one state,” Zohrabyan said.