The rules for joining the European Union (EU) are very clear, there are criteria, there must be a consensus among the member states, and candidate countries must apply. But this has not happened in the case of Armenia. And if that moment comes, the respective rules must be followed. Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, told Armenian News-NEWS.am—and addressing the question of whether there is a possibility of joining the EU in the coming years.

Regarding the possibility of a final normalization of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, Maragos said that the EU has welcomed the agreements that were reached in Washington and the initialing of the peace agreement there. He noted that this is a very good basis for moving forward, and expressed a hope that the peace agreement can also be signed soon. The EU ambassador added they are ready to work to support peace in the region, but this depends on the peoples of the region themselves, and the EU is here to support it.

And when asked whether Azerbaijan would hinder—including by showing aggression—that peace, Vassilis Maragos said he is the EU representative in Armenia, and they all believe and hope that all EU partners will do what they have committed to.