MP defends European integration course, says former official Grigoryan is enti

MP Sona Ghazaryan of the Civil Contract party has commented on former Security Council Secretary and fellow party member Armen Grigoryan’s criticism of Armenia’s European integration policy, describing it as healthy criticism that could spark public debate.

In an op-ed published by MediaLab on November 11, former Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan described the prospect of Armenia’s EU membership as unrealistic, expressing concern that steps aimed at achieving this goal could deepen Armenia’s dependence on Russia. He proposed deepening cooperation with European partners without making EU membership a foreign policy objective.

Grigoryan served as Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council from 2018 to 2026. After leaving office, he joined the Policy and Management Consulting Group (PMCG) as a Senior Advisor.

Ghazaryan, Deputy Chair of the National Assembly Standing Committee on European Integration, was asked to comment on Grigoryan’s article during a press briefing.

She highlighted that the existence of differing positions within a political team is natural in a democratic environment.

She noted that the former Security Council Secretary’s position had not come as a surprise to his colleagues and that they had previously discussed these issues.

“Mr. Grigoryan is not only a good colleague but also a good friend. At the very beginning of his article, Mr. Grigoryan noted that his colleagues – us – were familiar with his position,” the MP said.

She described the article as healthy criticism that could serve as a basis for debate, emphasizing that she continues to consider Grigoryan a trusted colleague.

Ghazaryan noted that in a democratic society, citizens, including former officials, can express differing views. In her assessment, this in itself should not give rise to a problem.

At the same time, the MP defended Armenia’s adopted European direction, emphasizing the importance of the law on launching the process of Armenia’s accession to the European Union, which was submitted to parliament at the initiative of citizens and adopted.

According to Ghazaryan, European partners have clearly responded to Armenia’s needs in recent years, while relations are developing on an institutional basis. She described the prospect of submitting an EU membership application, as presented by the Prime Minister, as a rational position.

Asked whether Grigoryan’s differing position could have been the reason for his departure from office, Ghazaryan replied that it would be more appropriate to address that question to Grigoryan himself and the Prime Minister.

The MP emphasized that she, too, had held and expressed views differing from those of other members of the team on various issues.

“I welcome differences of opinion within our team, and I believe that without differing opinions, we would find ourselves in a very bad place,” Ghazaryan said, stressing their importance for the development of the party as well.