News - Luxembourg FM: Our commitment is to give Armenians opportunity to live in independent country without climate of fear

The Armenian people should be given the opportunity to live in an independent country, without feeling a climate of fear, without being afraid of the position of their neighbor. This view was expressed by Luxembourg's Vice Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, at a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart in Yerevan Monday. Speaking about the complex regional situation, Bettel noted that there were also complex relations in Europe. "We [i.e. Luxembourg] also had difficult neighbors: France, Germany, Belgium. But today we live in peace and security. There are shared projects. This is a big dream for Armenia that young people live peacefully so that they don't have to worry about the position of their neighbor." The Luxembourg FM categorically stated that he does not accept the rule of power. According to him, young people should see that the EU is not on the other side of the world, but much closer. Bettel is sure that the launch of the Visa Liberalization Dialogue with the EU and some other projects are evidence of shared values. "Armenia has taken many steps towards the rule of law. Know that as the EU we bear responsibility," the Luxembourg FM assured. Bettel said that he visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan today. "We cannot change history, but we must learn lessons, this is our obligation to give the Armenian people the opportunity to live in an independent country, without feeling a climate of fear, without being afraid of the position of their neighbor. Not to live in the atmosphere of choosing between black and white, but to live according to your decisions, making your decisions based on your interests," said Bettel, adding that tomorrow he will meet with the Luxembourg police officers participating in the EU monitoring mission at Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan. "The threat of force is not a solution," added the Luxembourg FM. When asked what the European side expects from the Visa Liberalization Dialogue, the Bettel noted that it is wrong to think that everything will change overnight. “But it will be easier to move around. This is a symbolic step in the direction of strengthening relations [between Armenia and the EU], it is important for the [Armenian] citizens; they will get closer to the EU. The EU is not just numbers, it is people. The liberalization of the visa regime will bring Armenia closer to the EU; it will be like saying ‘welcome’ to the Armenian people," the Luxembourg FM concluded.