No matter what choice the Armenian people make in the upcoming elections, we are ready to stand by Armenia. This was stated by François-Xavier Bellamy, Vice-Chair of the European People’s Party in the European Parliament, in Yerevan on April 1 at an event organized by the Caucasus Institute and the Adenauer Foundation.

A question from former diplomat and now opposition politician Edgar Kazaryan focused on two issues: Europe’s response to Azerbaijan’s aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh and the current Armenian authorities’ departure from democratic values.

Bellamy stressed that he is personally very frustrated by Europe’s lack of a timely response. At the same time, he recalled being the first European parliamentarian to visit the blocked Lachin corridor and condemn Azerbaijan’s actions. “Russia, within the CSTO framework, did not fulfill its obligations, but Europe also remained silent. Had Europe not stayed silent then, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine might not have happened,” he said. He also reiterated concerns about Armenian prisoners in Baku and the problems faced by those forcibly deported from Nagorno-Karabakh. Regarding the lack of sanctions against Turkey and Azerbaijan, Bellamy noted that European parliamentarians can only call for action—they cannot make decisions on behalf of governments.

On the statement that the ruling authorities in Armenia have long abandoned democratic values, Bellamy emphasized that Armenia’s positions in the EU are “stronger than ever.” He added that he does not wish to influence the citizens’ choice. “Whatever it may be, we are ready to stand by Armenia. We want the people’s will to be expressed democratically in these elections. No democracy is perfect. Every democratic state faces challenges it must overcome with honor. Armenia should be proud of its level of democracy in a region that is not very democratic. Your voice shows that we are not in a dictatorship. Claiming otherwise would weaken a country in a region where real dictatorships exist,” Bellamy concluded.