Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia currently has no option to join the European Union as an alternative to its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Speaking at a meeting of the EAEU Intergovernmental Council in Kyrgyzstan, Pashinyan said Armenia understands that simultaneous membership in both the EAEU and the EU is not possible.
He said Armenia’s adoption of a law on launching the process of European integration does not mean the country can become an EU member immediately.
Pashinyan said that even if Armenia becomes ready for EU membership in the future, accession would require approval from EU member states as well as support from Armenian citizens.
He argued that holding a referendum before completing the necessary institutional preparations, submitting an official application and receiving candidate status would be premature.
“This would mean that we expect our citizens to choose between two alternatives, one of which does not exist,” Pashinyan said, calling such a step disrespectful to voters.
The Armenian prime minister said Yerevan supports developing relations with different partners and creating economic alternatives.
He added that Armenia’s engagement with third countries should not be viewed as contradicting its EAEU commitments, saying the bloc should not be seen as a space of restrictions.
Pashinyan also said that Armenia’s relations with the EU currently contain no legal, economic or political obligations that conflict with its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union.
He stressed that Armenia supports equal rights among EAEU members and further development of practical cooperation within the bloc.
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