Armenia could formally apply for European Union membership in 2027 or 2028, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said, while stressing that the country currently has no plans to withdraw from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Speaking to journalists at a press briefing, Pashinyan said Armenia was moving toward submitting an application to begin the EU accession process, Aysor.am reports.
“We are not planning to leave the EAEU, but you also know that our EAEU partners are raising the issue of making a choice and holding a referendum,” he said.
Pashinyan explained that a referendum on EU membership could not be held at this stage because the necessary procedures had not yet been completed.
“I have previously said that, at present, there is no question that could be put to a referendum, so we cannot hold one. In order to organize a referendum on Armenia’s accession to the EU, we must first go through certain procedures, and we are moving along that path,” he said.
The prime minister added that the process could lead to Armenia submitting a formal membership application in 2027 or 2028, noting that the country already has legislation in force concerning EU accession.
Pashinyan had previously raised the same possibility during a discussion in Brussels hosted by Euronews, describing a membership application in 2027 or 2028 as a realistic prospect.
