Armenia denies formal EU membership bid amid ongoing visa talks

Armenia has clarified its position regarding European Union membership amid widespread speculation, with Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan confirming that no formal application for EU accession has yet been submitted.

"Contrary to some reports, Armenia has not formally submitted an application for membership to the European Union," Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said during a parliamentary session, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

“If you mean that we have submitted a formal application to this organisation, then no, there was no such application,” Mirzoyan said, responding to inquiries from lawmakers.

This statement dispels recent misconceptions regarding Armenia’s official status vis-à-vis EU accession.

Despite the absence of a formal application, Armenia continues to engage closely with the European Union, with visa liberalisation negotiations remaining a central topic of discussion. Mirzoyan identified visa liberalisation as one of the primary issues still pending resolution between Armenia and the EU.

In a related development, on March 26, the Armenian parliament advanced legislation marking the commencement of Armenia’s EU accession process, passing the bill in its second and final reading.

By Vafa Guliyeva