President Sargsyan Says Armenia To Continue Cooperation With EU

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN SAYS ARMENIA TO CONTINUE COOPERATION WITH EU

News | 02.10.13 | 15:58

Armenia is committed to developing close relations with the European
Union, said President Serzh Sargsyan in his speech at the plenary
session of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) in
Strasbourg on Wednesday.

“We have said and continue to say that Armenia aspires to be close
to Europe,” said Sargsyan, emphasizing that at the same time Armenia
also has allied relations with Russia.

“Armenia has never aspired to build cooperation with one partner as
opposed to another,” stressed the Armenian leader, who announced
in early September his government’s plans to join the Russia-led
Customs Union.

In Strasbourg, Sargsyan reiterated Armenia’s commitment to finding a
peaceful solution to the Karabakh problem. He also answered questions
posed by member of the Armenian delegation Zaruhi Postanjyan regarding
his lacking legitimacy as president to represent the Armenian people
and allegations that he gambled and lost 70 million Euros in a
European casino.

“I do represent the Armenian people, and I’m proud of it.

Unfortunately, your candidate [Heritage Party leader Raffi Hovannisian]
was not able to display the kind of qualities that one would need in
presidential elections to be able to represent the Armenian people,”
said Sargsyan.

As for the allegation about the casino, Sargsyan described it as
“another product of your [Postanjyan’s] imagination”. “I have never
been to any casino in Europe, I do not gamble in casinos.

Unfortunately, I have no opportunity to be in possession of 70 million
Euros. If I had such an opportunity, I would donate part of it to you
to be happy with your life and not to have so much evilness in you,”
he said.