
During a cabinet meeting held on Thursday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced a significant development: the government has approved a proposal to start the process of joining the European Union.
This initiative, which aims to reshape Armenia’s international standing, comes with several proposed amendments intended to align the new legislation with existing laws concerning normative legal acts.
Once approved, the bill will head to parliament for discussion.
Pashinyan’s Vision for EU Engagement
Pashinyan emphasized the importance of engaging in constructive dialogue with the European Union following the enactment of the law.
The objective is to create a collaborative roadmap that encapsulates the visions of both Armenia and the EU.
Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan remarked on the increasing cooperation between Armenia and the EU, especially in economic and security matters.
He also mentioned that discussions on visa liberalization are underway, along with plans to finalize a comprehensive partnership agreement with the EU soon.
Russian Relations and EU Aspirations
With respect to Armenia’s ties to Russia, Mirzoyan clarified that there have not been any conversations about changing the current arrangement regarding the Russian military base situated in Armenia.
On the other hand, Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk acknowledged Armenia’s desire to pursue EU membership as a decision rooted in its sovereignty, adding that Russia will take this into account while shaping its economic policies toward Armenia.
Legislative Process and Future Challenges
The bill’s approval has garnered positive feedback, notably from Miriam Lexmann, a member of the European Parliament.
She expressed her support, highlighting the importance of welcoming countries that meet the EU’s membership criteria and adhere to its values.
It’s crucial to note, however, that this legislative approval does not provide an immediate pathway to EU membership.
Pashinyan pointed out that any actual membership would hinge on a referendum and require generating a sufficient number of favorable votes in line with the Constitution.
As a former Soviet republic, Armenia faces numerous hurdles on its ambitious journey toward EU integration.
Earlier in 2023, Pashinyan spoke before the European Parliament, showcasing Armenia’s enthusiasm to deepen ties with the EU grounded in shared interests.
This led to a trilateral meeting in April 2024 involving Armenia, the United States, and the EU.
From this dialogue emerged a civil initiative formed by the Republic Party, the For the Republic Party, and the European Party of Armenia, which organized a petition in accordance with Armenian legal requirements to initiate discussions on EU membership.
By November 2024, this legislative proposal was submitted to Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission for signature verification.
The following month, the commission confirmed that the petition met the necessary signature quota and forwarded it to parliament for further consideration.
Amid these developments, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov voiced concerns about the potential conflict between Armenia’s EU membership ambitions and its obligations within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), pointing to contrasting customs regulations.
Overchuk reinforced this view in a statement to state media, suggesting that despite the current challenges facing the EU, Armenia’s ongoing membership in the EAEU remains crucial and that seeking EU membership might be akin to trying to secure a ticket for a tumultuous ride.
Source: Jurist