FM: Armenia could apply for EU membership as early as next month

Armenia may submit its application to join the European Union as soon as next month, though it could also happen next year, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said in an interview with Deutsche Welle, as reported by Caliber.Az.

Mirzoyan highlighted that Armenia has passed a law obliging the government to pursue EU membership.

“I cannot say exactly when we will submit the application. It could be next month, or it could be next year. This depends on many factors. But, as I have already said, this is our official policy,” he stated.

The minister emphasised that Armenia is actively working with the EU and has already significantly deepened bilateral relations. There is a comprehensive and enhanced partnership agreement in place, and both sides have initiated a process to simplify the visa regime, which Mirzoyan described as progressing successfully.

He added that Yerevan and Brussels are negotiating several new agreements and have completed work on a new partnership program, which is expected to be signed within the next three months.

"The citizens of Armenia demand that we move forward. We hear some criticism regarding possible delays and lengthy procedures," Mirzoyan noted.

When asked about the timeline for establishing a visa-free regime, he acknowledged that it is difficult to predict but estimated that a realistic timeframe would be between one and two years.

By Tamilla Hasanova