European Party of Armenia

The founding congress of the European Party of Armenia was held on 6 November 2018, in Yerevan.[1] Tigran Khzmalyan was elected by party members as Chairman.

The party then released its charter and manifesto as well as completed its registration with the Ministry of Justice on 13 November 2018.[9][10] Currently, the party acts as an extra-parliamentary force. Tigran Khzmalyan confirmed that the party will continue to act as a strong opposition and continue their activities to hold government accountable and ensure Armenia's future lies with the European Union.[11][12] Following the 2018 elections, the party has been very skeptical of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stating that, "Armenia's new government has not been able to rid the country of Russian occupation."[13]

During the 2016 Yerevan hostage crisis, party leader Tigran Khzmalyan empathized with the hostage takers and stated that, "The fight against Russian colonialism was the most important message to emerge from this crisis."[14]

In April 2016, Tigran Khzmalyan held a press conference with Paruyr Hayrikyan, leader of the Union for National Self-Determination party. Both leaders announced the creation of a mass-petition to be signed by citizens calling on the government to give up cooperation with Russia and deepen their ties with European institutions.[15]

On 13 September 2018, party members protested outside of government buildings opposing sending Armenian troops to Syria. Tigran Khzmalyan stated that, "Armenia will go against the whole world by supporting Russia in Syria. The entire civilized world is against new military operations in Syria."[16]

On 11 November 2018, the European Party of Armenia organized a commemoration at the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide memorial to commemorate soldiers and martyrs killed during World War I.[17]

Following the 2018 Armenian parliamentary election, Tigran Khzmalyan stated, "Each succeeding free election will weaken the path of centuries old dependency and allow Armenia to become closer to Europe. One generation which looks to Europe is replacing a generation that has always looked toward Moscow. And that ultimately sets the stage for radical changes."[18]

On 12 January 2019, party members held a protest outside of the Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri and outside the Russian embassy in Yerevan.[19][20] The party actively calls for the closure of the Russian military base.[21] At the protest, Tigran Khzmalyan stated that, "Armenia will be independent. Foreign troops have no place in Armenia. Relations between Armenia and Russia will be improved only in conditions of equality, not through colonization."[22]

In April 2019, the party released a statement condemning the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and stated its support for Ukrainian territorial integrity. The statement also called for the reunification of Artsakh with Armenia.[3]

During an interview in May 2019, Khzmalyan warned that Russia continues to blackmail Armenia and is attempting to halt any progressive reforms taking place in the country.[23]

In October 2019, party members protested against Armenia's membership in the Eurasian Union outside of Armenian government buildings in Yerevan. Protesters chanted "Armenia is Europe." While party leader Khzmalyan vowed that protests in front of government buildings will continue almost every day until Armenia withdraws from the Eurasian Union.[24]

On 22 November 2019, party members marched from Republic Square to the US Embassy in honor of former US president Woodrow Wilson and his concept of Wilsonian Armenia. The march was titled "Thank you, America."

On 30 November 2019, Tigran Khzmalyan called on the government of Armenia to recognize the Ukrainian Holodomor as a genocide. Khzmalyan stated that, “Recognition of the Holodomor genocide is a necessity for Armenia, without which we cannot expect the world to recognize the Armenian Genocide. For Armenians of European thinking it is Ukraine that is the benchmark for the struggle against imperialism and colonialism," during a speech at the Ukrainian Embassy in Yerevan.[25]

In May 2020, Tigran Khzmalyan signed a declaration along with two-dozen other political figures calling on the Pashinyan government to hold snap parliamentary elections.[26]

The party has strong pro-European views and supports Armenia's European integration. The party opposes Armenia's current membership in the Eurasian Union and believes Armenia should begin the first steps of accession negotiations to the European Union without delay.[2][27] The party also supports Armenia's inclusion in a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the EU. During a press conference, Party Chairman Tigran Khzmalyan stated that, "We are convinced that Armenia is a European state, that we are not only European but also a key culture for Europe." Khzmalyan also stated that the Eurasian Union is a corrupt, hostile and colonial system and that the European Party of Armenia will stand in opposition to Armenia's current membership while supporting the development of Armenia as a European state within the European family of states. The party additionally supports Russia to seek an EU membership bid and supports developing closer relations between Armenia and Georgia, Ukraine, the Baltic States and Iran.[28][29][30][31]

The parties manifesto prioritizes establishing a strong and stable democracy in Armenia, eliminating all forms of discrimination, as well as protecting human rights, social justice and free elections.[32] In addition, the party is in favor of Armenia eventually joining NATO and withdrawing from the Collective Security Treaty Organization.[33]

Party leader Khzmalyan advised he would not be opposed to creating a political alliance with other parties which hold similar views, such as the anti-Russian Sasna Tsrer Pan-Armenian Party. Khzmalyan stated that, "We are in a situation where radical opposition and democratic forces must unite and demand a strategy of joining Armenia with Western powers."[34]

The party is also skeptical of Prosperous Armenia party and its leader Gagik Tsarukyan, labeling them both as serving Russia's interests above all.[35]

• Armenia–European Union relations
• Liberalism in Armenia
• Politics of Armenia
• Programs of political parties in Armenia

• European Party of Armenia on Facebook
• Armenia is an occupied country. Tigran Khzmalyan creates a European Party