Armenia’s Push for EU Membership Continues Despite Warnings

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinian, has said his government will continue ahead with plans to become part of the European Union in spite of warnings from Russia.

In the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Armenian PM emphasised the government’s January 9 endorsement of a bill to start the process of Armenia’s accession to the EU, Schengen.News reports.

Russian authorities previously criticised Armenia’s efforts to join the bloc. In addition, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Alexei Overchuk, considered it the beginning of Armenia’s withdrawal from the European Economic Union (EEU). 

Overchuk warned that Armenia could lose tariff-free trade with Russia and be subject to higher costs for Russian gas and food, as quoted by Radio Free Europe. 

Attempting to Becoming Part of the EU 
While Armenia and the EU continue to maintain close relations, last year, Armenia unfolded its plans to make a step forward that would further tighten connections between both areas. 

Last year, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, announced that his country may consider applying for EU accession in the future. At the same time, in March 2024, the resolution that confirms that Armenia meets the needed requirements and is eligible to apply for membership to the bloc was passed by the European Parliament.

A petition for a referendum on Armenia’s accession to the EU, which was also supported by the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, reached 50,000 signatures needed to be submitted to the National Assembly. 

Armenia Is Also Working to Reach Visa Liberalisation With EU 
Among the issues that are also expected to soon be resolved by the EU is the visa liberalisation issue, according to the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashianyan, comments made earlier this month.

The Armenian PM said that the issue has been on Armenia’s agenda for decades. 

In October last year, the Armenian government, led by the Deputy Prime Minister, Mher Grigoryan, held the first working group meeting for visa liberalisation with the European Union.

Source: https://schengen.news/armenias-push-for-eu-membership-continues-despite-warnings/