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By Isabel van Brugen
News Reporter
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The Armenian government on Thursday approved draft legislation to kickstart the process of the nation's accession to the European Union, a move which will serve as a blow to its neighbor, Russia.
Newsweek has contacted the Kremlin for comment by email.
Why It Matters
Armenia's relations with Russia have deteriorated since President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The country has sought to distance itself from Moscow, while deepening its relations with Europe.
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In March 2024, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said the country was considering applying for EU membership. Armenia is also in the process of withdrawing from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)—a group of post-Soviet states considered to be Moscow's answer to NATO.
What To Know
Mirzoyan presented the bill on Thursday, saying Armenia and the EU have developed "quite intensive and dynamic" relations in recent years, Armenia News reported.
Armenia has gradually distanced itself from Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in March 2024 that his nation wished to freeze its participation in the CSTO, telling France 24 television that the pact had failed his country, and that it "has not fulfilled its objectives as far as Armenia is concerned, particularly in 2021 and 2022." Formed in 2022, the military alliance also consists of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Pashinyan expressed frustrations that Putin hadn't provided adequate support in Armenia's conflict with Azerbaijan over the contested border region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Pashinyan said the draft legislation "does not mean Armenia's membership in the European Union in the literal sense of the word," as the decision on his country's accession to the bloc would need to be established through a national referendum.
The prime minister said that before a referendum is held, Armenia must discuss a "roadmap" with the EU.
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What People Are Saying
Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan: "The draft law on the start of Armenia's EU membership process was submitted for discussion in the National Assembly as a civic initiative, and now the government must express its position."
"[Relations between Armenia and the EU] have been very rich and covered various sectors. The EU has repeatedly expressed its firm political support for democracy in Armenia. The EU, in fact, participates in ensuring the security environment around Armenia. I mean the deployment of the EU civilian monitoring mission.
"The EU has also expressed its readiness to support the strengthening of Armenia's economic resilience. Obviously, the EU has very rich democratic traditions, strong democratic institutions, a free competitive environment, a modern economy, and advanced science.
"You, Mr. Prime Minister, have also stated in the European Parliament that Armenia is ready to be as close to the EU as the EU considers it possible. We have also seen signs of this being possible. I mean the launch of visa liberalization and a number of other instruments that have been applied or are being discussed with the EU.
"Based on all this, we propose a positive response. Of course, we also have some suggestions, which mainly concern legal techniques."
Giorgi Koberidze, political analyst and professor at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs, on X, formerly Twitter: "The dynamics in the South Caucasus are changing rapidly: Armenia has approved the beginning of the country's accession to the EU. Long considered an ally of Russia, Armenia has found that Russia is one of the least reliable partners.
"Rather than fostering Armenia's development, Russia sought its subservience, installing pro-Russian governments with a pro-Russian agenda. Now, this is all changing."
What Happens Next
The bill to kickstart the process of accession to the EU will be sent to Armenia's parliament for approval.
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