Leaving EAEU Is Not Armenia’s Goal, Joining EU Is — Pashinyan

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that leaving the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is not Armenia’s goal — but joining the European Union is, Orda.kz reports, citing NewsArmenia.AM.

Speaking to journalists in Hamburg, Pashinyan said:

We understand that simultaneous membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and the EU is impossible, and we understand that the moment will come when we will need to make a decision. But today is not that moment. There is no need to make such a decision today — and if there is no need, why make it?

Is there incompatibility right now or not? Obviously not, because both things are happening in reality. When the moment comes that we understand there is incompatibility, then we will think about what decision to make. And we will make a decision that will be based on the state interests of the Republic of Armenia,
 the Armenian prime minister said.

Background

In February, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia adopted the draft law "On the beginning of the process of joining the European Union" at the first reading.

In April, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan signed a law approved by parliament declaring the country’s intent to join the European Union.

Debate about whether closer alignment with the EU is compatible with continued membership in the EAEU, which Armenia joined in 2015 and includes Russia. 

Armenian and Russian relations have been strained over what Yerevan perceives as inadequate support from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) on security matters, namely, Azerbaijan's 2021-2022 incursions into sovereign Armenian territory. Russia is also a CSTO member.

Russian peacekeepers' failure to act during Azerbaijan's September 2023 lightning offensive into Nagorno-Karabakh, resulting in Baku reclaiming the contested territory, also strained relations between Yerevan and Moscow.