Armenia’s EU aspirations gain momentum with parliamentary debate on accession

The Armenian Parliament is set to discuss a draft law on launching the country’s accession process to the European Union during its upcoming plenary sessions.

According to a statement published on the legislative body’s website, the agenda for the National Assembly sessions starting on February 11 includes a proposal titled “On the Beginning of the Process of Armenia’s Accession to the EU”, per Caliber.Az.

“In accordance with the regulations of the National Assembly, the following issues will be included in the agenda of the sittings of the National Assembly convened from February 11, including the draft law on the initiation of Armenia’s accession to the EU,” the statement reads.

A total of eight bills are expected to be reviewed during the four-day parliamentary session.

The discussion follows the Armenian Cabinet’s approval of a draft decision in January to officially start the EU accession process. The move was preceded by a petition initiated by non-parliamentary political parties, gathering 60,000 signatures in support of EU membership.

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has emphasized that this step reflects the “will of the Armenian people” and aligns with the country’s aspirations for deeper European integration.

Armenia’s increasing engagement with the EU has drawn reactions from Russia, a key regional ally and a leading force in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), of which Armenia remains a member.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called for “clarity” regarding Armenia’s intentions, questioning how Yerevan plans to balance its commitment to the EAEU with its European ambitions.

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk issued a stark warning, stating that “pursuing EU membership could effectively signal Armenia’s exit from the EAEU.” He compared the decision to “buying a ticket to the Titanic,” suggesting that Armenia might face economic and geopolitical risks in its pursuit of closer ties with the EU.

Armenia’s European aspirations have gained momentum in recent months. In September 2024, Armenia and the EU officially launched negotiations on visa liberalization. During a visit to Yerevan, European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas hailed the move as “a historic step” in deepening EU-Armenia ties.

The European Parliament has also shown strong support for expanding relations. In March, MEPs adopted a resolution urging the EU to begin visa liberalization talks with Armenia, stating that “the EU should seize this geopolitical shift and help Armenia gain a firmer foothold in the community of democracies.”

The resolution further called on the European Commission and EU member states to “develop a roadmap to elevate relations with Armenia to a new level.”

By Tamilla Hasanova