The Republic of Armenia has celebrated its 20th anniversary. This was done in style, big, loud and colourful. I could not understand why priests had to take part in the parade. But otherwise I was impressed, like I have not been since the parade on the Champs-Elysee in Paris on Bastille Day. Some say, why spend so much money on such things when there are still so many other things that require money. As a German, I know this argument, especially regarding military shows. But while it is good to keep an eye on the costs of everything a state does, we must also accept one thing: not even the maturest state will ever be in a condition, where there is absolutely no school to build or hospital to renovate. If you wait for that day, when all will be in order, you must wait forever.

Armenia has reasons to celebrate now. Armenia today is in a much better situation than it was 20 years ago. It also still has many problems to solve. Those problems are not resolved by negative thinking or by stopping to be happy about this wonderful country. On the evening of 21 September 2011 I saw so many happy, mostly young faces, it was almost impossible to walk with my guests, European Parliamentarians, to the concert on Republic Square. That generation is the future of Armenia. They do not know a time before the Republic of Armenia. They can build up on what was begun on 21 September 1991. And they need motivation and encouragement on the way.

I hope the EU will live up to its promises and contribute to that. Quicker and cheaper Schengen visa especially for students and businessmen, a roadmap for establishing a free-trade area with the EU...  These signals will come from the EU's Eastern Partnership Summit in Warsaw next week. On 21 September 2021, this will all be really implemented, if we work for it. And I hope that then the celebrations will be even bigger, louder and more colourful. I hope that on that day on the streets of Yerevan, even more young people will be even prouder to be Armenian.

Dr Michael Kambeck is the Secretary General of European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA ). These views are his own.