We are preparing to offer our people alternatives, says Pashinyan on possible EU membership

Armenia is not currently preparing to leave the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this during a briefing with journalists at the government headquarters, commenting on his statement in Brussels two days earlier that he considered it realistic to apply for European Union membership in 2027 or 2028. He had also noted that simultaneous membership of the EAEU and the EU was impossible.

“We have not begun preparations to leave the EAEU. We are preparing to offer our people alternatives, as we promised. Our people must have the opportunity to make a choice. We are not preparing to leave the EAEU, but you know that our partners in that organisation are raising the question of making a choice and holding a referendum. I have said that there are no grounds for holding a referendum at this stage. Before holding a referendum on leaving the EAEU and joining the EU, we need to go through certain procedures. We are following that path. It is clear to me that the process is leading towards us formally applying in 2027 or 2028 to begin the process of becoming a full member of the European Union,” Pashinyan said.