BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 7. Armenia's adoption
of a law initiating the process of joining the European Union (EU)
aims to create additional opportunities and alternatives for the
country, but the process requires preliminary preparation.


This was announced by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at
an expanded meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council.


According to Pashinyan, Armenia continues to view strengthening
cooperation with the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union
(EAEU) as a foreign policy and economic priority.


At the same time, he noted that in 2025, Armenia adopted a law
initiating the country's accession process to the European Union,
the strategic goal of which is to create alternative opportunities
for further development.


"We understand that simultaneous membership in the Eurasian
Economic Union and the European Union is impossible," Pashinyan
said.


He emphasized that the adoption of this law doesn't in itself
mean that Armenia has already gained the opportunity to become an
EU member.


"When Armenia is ultimately prepared for EU membership, this
doesn't mean that our country will automatically become an EU
member. This will still require the consent of EU member states and
the approval of Armenian citizens," the prime minister pointed
out.


According to him, significant institutional preparation is
necessary before the membership issue is submitted to the
citizens.


"It's impossible to submit this issue to the citizens of Armenia
without preliminary institutional preparatory work, and even then,
it will be necessary to submit an official application to the EU
for accession to the European Union and then obtain candidate state
status," Pashinyan stated.







He added that holding a referendum before these stages would
have no practical effect.


"This would mean we expect our citizens to answer a question
that simply doesn't exist at this point. We expect Armenian
citizens to choose between two alternatives, one of which doesn't
exist," the prime minister said.


Pashinyan also noted that Armenia has taken note of the
statement by the leaders of the four EAEU member states on May 29,
2026, expressing support for the idea of ​​holding a referendum in
the country on EU accession.


He expressed gratitude to his European Union partners for
recognizing Armenia's right to develop relations with various
international partners and create trade and economic
alternatives.


"I believe this approach is beneficial for the EU, as the
existence of possible alternatives is a factor that will contribute
to the development of the EAEU's competitiveness and
attractiveness," Pashinyan stressed.


According to him, namely the existence of alternatives could
serve as an incentive for further improvement of integration
associations.


"I think no one will deny that in this regard, we have work to
do within the EAEU. We are ready and offer to work on this," the
prime minister stated.