Armenia has achieved significant success in diversifying its security sector, but the same progress has not been seen in the economic sector, stated Armen Grigoryan, the Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, during a discussion on Armenia-Eastern Partnership-EU relations.

“There are many multi-layered problems here, and a lot of work is being done to solve them. And it is no coincidence that the priority agenda matters of April 5 were economic; they were about resilience and diversification. In some cases, we try to resolve the issues in the long term. For example, we have entered a very substantive phase concerning the construction of a new nuclear power plant [in Armenia]. That is, we are discussing with the US the matter of regulating the legal contract field [in that regard]; we cannot move forward without that field. At this moment, I can say that the ball is in the US court, we expect our system procedures in the US to pass, and then we will start working on diversification,” Grigoryan noted. 

Regarding agricultural exports, Armen Grigoryan emphasized the importance of considering the political context within the EU when discussing the entry of Armenian products into the European market.

Armenia’s Security Council Chief also highlighted the success and positive outcomes of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) of the European Union (EU). “Fifteen years ago, when the Eastern Partnership was being created, the post-Soviet countries were more similar to each other. But over the course of 15 years, they have undergone significant changes. Perhaps the main requirement now is an individual approach to all these member countries,” Grigoryan remarked. He emphasized that the Eastern Partnership aids Armenia in building resilience.

“Diversification is very important for Armenia’s resilience, both economically and security-wise. Democracy definitely increases Armenia's resilience. Democracy is one of the main tools with which Armenia can resist its threats. Democracy is very important also from the point of view of internal security. We are convinced that democracy helps in internal security, economic development, democratization, and the fight against corruption. These, in turn, bring great results,” Grigoryan concluded.