Page 48 - bne IntelliNews magazine February 2025

48 I Eurasia bne February 2025
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan receives EU special representative Magdalena Grono on January 9. / primeminister.am
Armenia approves EU membership
bid further straining ties with Russia
Ani Avetisyan in Yerevan
Armenia has formally started the process of joining the European Union (EU). A bill calling for the country to launch a bid to enter the 27-member bloc was approved by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government on January 9.
Pashinyan has pledged to hold a national referendum on EU accession, leaving the final decision to the Armenian people.
This follows a growing sense of dissatisfaction with Armenia's long- time ally, Russia, and an apparent desire to strengthen ties with Western institutions.
The bill was adopted after a public petition garnered 60,000 signatures,
www.bne.eu
demonstrating significant domestic support for EU integration.
The petition was organised by a number of minor pro-European parties. They managed to get the necessary number of signatures in a very short period, pressuring the Armenian government to take actions.
Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan pointed to the EU's consistent political and economic support as a driving factor. "The European Union has
demonstrated its commitment to Armenia's security and stability,” he said. He added that deeper ties with Brussels could pave the way for long- term peace and prosperity.
The shift towards the EU parallels Armenia's growing frustration with Moscow, particularly over its perceived lack of support during Armenia's conflict with Azerbaijan. The Armenian government has openly criticised Russia for failing to meet its security commitments during the 2022-2023
“Pashinyan has pledged to hold a national referendum on EU accession, leaving the final decision to the Armenian people.”