The extension of the European Union is of significant importance to Armenia. Without this new opportunity for expansion, there is a risk involved. Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, emphasized this point during an interview with journalists on his 20th anniversary of joining the EU. Michel stated that it would be extremely dangerous to exclude neighboring countries, both current candidates and Eastern Partnership countries, from the expansion process. He further added that both the Caucasus region and the EU would benefit from this expansion. Michel warned that if this does not happen within the next 20 years, a virtual wall would divide the EU and non-member countries, leading Eastern European countries to seek better understanding of their interests from the Kremlin. The accession process for Eastern European and Western Balkan countries to the EU is currently pending approval, a process which is known to be lengthy and complex. These candidate countries must fulfill the EU’s strict requirements, which include legal and regulatory reforms.

Source: News from Armenia – NEWS.am.