Yerevan /Mediamax/. French President Francois Hollande said in Yerevan today that “EU membership is not required to carry out reforms in the country”.

Mediamax reports Francois Hollande, who arrived in Armenia on a state visit today, stated it at the French-Armenian business forum.

“At the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius you said you are willing to continue establishing closer relations with the EU. And we do not want you to make a choice between the two (ed.: EU and Customs Union). We should think of how Armenia can associate with the EU so that it does not impede Armenia’s Customs Union commitments”, said the French President.

According to Hollande, Armenia is on the threshold of passing important decisions and France stands ready to help it in the new European Commission to be set up following the European Parliament elections and to raise the issue that Armenia’s Customs Union membership will not impede relations with the EU.

“I believe we will manage to support Armenia through negotiations and explain our EU partners that Armenia needs benefits considering this country’s geopolitical, economic and political peculiarities”, said the French President.