Armenia reaffirms commitment to EU integration

Armenia’s government remains committed to deepening its partnership with the European Union, Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan has said.

He made the comments during a meeting with a delegation from the Council of the EU’s Working Party on Eastern Europe and Central Asia, according to Armenia’s foreign ministry.

The sides discussed Armenia-EU relations, the implementation of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and the Strategic Partnership Agenda, Tass reports.

They also discussed security co-operation and Armenia’s integration into regional transport networks.

Armenia’s parliament passed a law in March 2025 to begin the process of joining the EU.

The move has drawn criticism from Russia. President Vladimir Putin has said EU integration would mean an end to Armenia’s co-operation with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the loss of related economic preferences.

At an EAEU summit in Astana in May, the leaders of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan said they supported holding a nationwide referendum in Armenia on joining the EU or remaining in the EAEU.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said in August that Armenia should decide on holding such a referendum by December, when EAEU leaders are due to discuss possible further steps regarding Yerevan.

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said later in August that Armenia would never become an EU member and would instead damage its relations with the EAEU and Moscow.

By Aghakazim Guliyev