Armenian Parliament delays EU accession bill discussion amid political concerns

The Armenian parliamentary committee has decided to postpone the discussion of the draft law outlining the country's intention to join the European Union.

The decision, made during a session on March 3, delays the bill's review until March 25, shifting it from the previously scheduled date of March 4, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

According to Armenian media, the postponement stems from concerns over the preamble of the bill, which provides a political assessment of Armenia’s aspirations to join the EU. Despite the pause between the first and second readings of the bill, the authors of the draft law did not propose any amendments or clarifications to the preamble during this interval.

Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan has suggested that the preamble be removed from the draft law altogether. The discussion on Armenia’s potential EU membership will now take place at a plenary session of the parliament on March 25, regardless of the parliamentary committee's conclusions.

In late January, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan acknowledged growing differences with Russia over Armenia’s growing ties with the European Union.

Earlier in the same month, the Armenian Cabinet of Ministers approved a bill to initiate the process of Armenia’s accession to the EU.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan also emphasized the need for a European Union civilian mission to continue monitoring the situation along Armenia's border with Azerbaijan until the delimitation process is fully completed.

By Vafa Guliyeva