Armenian government signs motion to start EU membership application process

MOSCOW

The Armenian government approved on Thursday a draft law to initiate the country's EU membership application process.


Speaking at a government meeting in Armenia's capital Yerevan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the final decision will be made at a national referendum while the document serves as a formal basis for starting accession talks.


"This does not mean Armenia's membership in the EU in the truest sense of the word, since a decision on this issue can only be made through a referendum. But we should also note that before the referendum, we must take certain actions, and discuss the roadmap with the EU," he said.

After getting the government's approval, the draft will be submitted to parliament for consideration, which is expected to last until the end of January.

Commenting on the move, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it is Armenia’s “sovereign right” to decide whether it wants to join the EU, however, he added the country cannot be simultaneously a member of both the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), a Russia-led regional economic organization, and the EU.


"Hypothetically speaking, it is simply impossible to be members of two different organizations. There is one customs space here, there is one zone of free movement of goods and services, people and capital, there are other norms," he said when asked what would happen if Armenia was accepted to the EU.

"Of course, the EU accession project is the sovereign right (of Armenia). At the same time, we know for sure that membership in the EEU is beneficial for Armenia," he said.