On June 3, 2014 Varuzhan Hoktanyan, Executive Director of Transparency International Anticorruption Center took part in public discussion entitled “Challenges to Armenia’s existence within the Eurasian Union” organized by the “Partnership for Open Society” Initiative. The participants of the discussion were concerned about Armenia’s recently pursued foreign policy, its possible scenarios for regional integration, the problems of neutralization of potential existential threats to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. They addressed a number of questions, including what happened after September 3 statement, what dangers would Armenia face if it joined Eurasian Economic Union, how it was related to the security of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

In the opinion of Varuzhan Hoktanyan TI surveys manifested that there was widespread apathy among the public, which showed indifference about the problems and was reluctant to participate in anticorruption actions. He did not see the forces in Armenia who would fight against coerced Eurasian orientation. To substantiate the infamous decision of September 3 Armenia’s authorities demonstrate the issue of Nagorno Karabakh security. Addressing Madrid principles Varuzhan Hoktanyan noted that they should hold debates to prove if they were acceptable for Armenia and for Nagorno Karabakh.

Among other speakers of the discussion were Davit Shahnazaryan, Avekik Ishkhanyan, Levon Barseghyan and Artur Sakunts.