The European Union (EU) respects the initiative of Armenian citizens; it is very important that people participate in the future policy of their country. Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, Head of the Delegation of the EU to Armenia, stated this in an interview with Armenian News-NEWS.am.

It is part of democratic rights. The Armenian people and officials should decide their future. The EU has a very good cooperation with Armenia, and they are working to deepen that cooperation. They collaborate in various domains, including security, so that Armenia can benefit from the European Peace Facility. It is very important, and it is not a small support aimed at the expansion of capacities and capabilities, the EU ambassador added.

Also, he expressed hope that Armenia’s visa liberalization dialogue with the EU will give positive results, the country will meet the respective standards, and a free visa regime will operate for Armenian citizens.

The Armenian society and democracy should decide what it wants to do in terms of EU membership, and the EU is considering all developments, Maragos emphasized.

A signature campaign aimed at adopting a policy towards EU membership was carried out in Armenia, the necessary 50,000 signatures have already been collected, and the respective bill will be debated on at the National Assembly (NA) of Armenian in the near future. If the NA does not pass this bill, it will be necessary to collect 300,000 signatures to hold a nationwide referendum on Armenia's EU membership.