Armenian Ambassador highlights EU integration at Athens event
Armenia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Greece, Tigran Mkrtchyan, delivered opening remarks at an event organized by the Piraeus–Athens local branch of the Young European Federalists of Greece (JEF Greece), held at the Europa Experience Athens venue operating under the auspices of the European Parliament.
In his speech, Ambassador Mkrtchyan underscored the importance of such platforms as vital spaces for dialogue, exchange of experience, and consolidation around shared European values. He presented the unprecedented progress recorded in Armenia–European Union relations in recent years, highlighting key achievements.
The ambassador noted that around this time last year, Armenia’s National Assembly adopted a draft law on launching the process of the country’s accession to the European Union, reaffirming Armenia’s clear political will toward European integration and its strategic choice of democratic development.
Mkrtchyan also referred to the ongoing deepening of Armenia–EU cooperation, emphasizing progress in institutional reforms, strengthening the rule of law, and advancing economic and political integration. He placed special emphasis on the role of youth as key drivers and carriers of European values, stressing the importance of their active engagement in political and public life.
He further stated that Armenia’s European path is aimed not only at aligning institutional frameworks but also at deepening shared values based on democracy, human rights, and peace. Armenia, he added, will continue to actively develop its partnership with the European Union and its member states to promote regional stability and cooperation.
In this context, the ambassador highlighted the importance of Greece’s role and the further development of Armenia–Greece bilateral relations as a vital link in Armenia–EU strategic ties.
Opening remarks were also delivered by Michalis Livanos, a member of the Hellenic Parliament from the ruling New Democracy party; Ioannis Chrysoulakis, former Secretary General of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Giorgos Tassis, head of the Prime Minister’s Office for Digital Communication; Eleftheria Moraitaki, Deputy Governor of Attica; and Filippos Kamaris, representative of the European Parliament Office in Greece.
The keynote speakers included Sifis Kassesian, writer and Secretary of the Center for Armenian-Greek Studies, who addressed political and institutional reforms in Armenia on its path toward the EU; George Meneshian, an international relations expert, who discussed prospects for economic integration and trade opportunities between Armenia and the EU; and Hovsep Khurshudyan, analyst and head of the “Free Citizen” NGO, who spoke about geopolitical and security challenges affecting Armenia’s European integration.
The event brought together diplomats accredited in Greece from several EU member states, as well as representatives of civil society, researchers, and students, fostering an active and multifaceted discussion environment.