Deepening cooperation with Eurasian Economic Union member states remains among Armenia’s foreign policy and economic priorities, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at an expanded meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan.
“This approach will also be reflected in the new government’s program,” he said, Aysor.am reports.
Pashinyan also addressed the statement adopted by the leaders of four EAEU member states on May 29, 2026, saying the Armenian side had taken note of it, Factor.am reports.
He also said that holding a referendum on the EU-EAEU issue at this stage “would be disrespectful toward our people and illegitimate.”
“Armenia has taken note of the May 29, 2026 statement by the leaders of four EAEU member states, in which they expressed support for holding a referendum on Armenia’s membership in the EU. As you know, in 2025 Armenia adopted a law on launching the process of the country’s accession to the EU. The strategic purpose of adopting this law is to create an alternative for our country. We understand that simultaneous membership in the EAEU and EU is impossible. However, the mere fact that this law was adopted does not mean Armenia today has an opportunity to become an EU member,” Pashinyan said.
At the same time, the prime minister noted that even in the future, when Armenia is ready to join the EU, that circumstance in itself will not mean the country will automatically become a member of the European Union.
In his speech, Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia consistently advocates adherence to the principles underpinning the EAEU.
“One of the EAEU’s fundamental principles is ensuring the free movement of goods, capital, and labor. Unfortunately, in practice, these principles are not fully implemented. Certain restrictions and administrative measures continue to impede the full functioning of the common market, reducing the predictability of business conditions and the effectiveness of integration processes,” he said.
According to Pashinyan, Armenia has consistently ensured the most favorable, equal and non-discriminatory conditions possible for businesses from all EAEU member states.
“We proceed from the understanding that the same approach should apply throughout the entire EAEU. Therefore, we consider it fundamentally important that any measures capable of facilitating access to goods and services in the EAEU common market be adopted exclusively in accordance with EAEU rules, based on coordinated procedures and constructive interaction between the relevant authorities. Ignoring such issues could not only hinder the EAEU’s further development but also negatively affect attitudes among our countries’ citizens and business communities,” the Armenian prime minister stressed.
On August 6, Pashinyan participated in a restricted-format meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Cholpon-Ata. At the start of the meeting, Adylbek Kasymaliev welcomed the participants and congratulated Nikol Pashinyan on his victory in the parliamentary elections and reappointment as Armenia’s prime minister.
During the meeting, the participants discussed cooperation in various areas within the Eurasian Economic Union.
