Armenia confirms eventual choice between Brussels and EAEU

Armenia recognises that it cannot simultaneously remain a member of both the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and any eventual decision on this issue will be made by its citizens, Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan said.

Speaking to TASS, Grigoryan addressed questions about the possibility of Armenia leaving the EAEU and whether such a move would be put to a referendum, given the incompatibility of membership in the two blocs.

“We fully understand that Armenia cannot simultaneously be a member of the EAEU and the EU, and it is obvious that in the future we will need to make an appropriate decision. Moreover, the decision on this issue will, of course, be made by the citizens of Armenia. At present, there is no such necessity,” he said.

Grigoryan подчеркнул that, for now, Armenia continues to function as a full member of the EAEU, actively engaging in cooperation and participating in all decision-making processes within the bloc.

The issue comes amid Armenia’s gradual steps toward closer ties with the European Union. On March 26, 2025, the Armenian parliament passed a law initiating the process of the country’s accession to the EU. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan clarified at the time that the move does not equate to automatic EU membership and that the question would ultimately need to be decided through a referendum.

Russian officials have repeatedly stressed that EU accession is incompatible with EAEU membership. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk ранее заявил that joining the EU would preclude continued participation in the EAEU.

On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin also weighed in on the issue, stating that Yerevan should determine its position on EU or EAEU membership as soon as possible, suggesting that an “intelligent divorce” could follow such a decision.

By Tamilla Hasanova