Armenian PM says Yerevan to apply for EU membership in near future

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on Monday that Yerevan will submit a formal application for European Union membership in the near future, marking the first step toward a potential referendum on joining the bloc. Speaking at the presentation of his government's 2026-2031 program in parliament, Pashinyan said the formal request would precede preparations for a detailed accession roadmap. "First of all, Armenia must submit an official request for membership in the EU," he said, noting that the process would require substantial work.

Referendum plans

Pashinyan stated that Yerevan would begin the application process while taking into account concerns raised by Armenia's partners in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The prime minister has previously indicated that a referendum on EU membership would become meaningful only once public discussion reaches a decisive stage. Armenia's parliament approved a law in March 2025 to launch the accession process, though Pashinyan emphasized that the timeline depends on completing the initial application phase.

Eurasian bloc warnings

The potential pivot toward Brussels has drawn warnings from EAEU member states, who cautioned that deeper EU integration could affect Armenia's membership in the Russian-led economic bloc. The EAEU maintains a common external tariff regime among its five member states. Pashinyan acknowledged these partner concerns during his parliamentary address, suggesting that Yerevan would navigate carefully to manage relations with both economic spheres.