Armenia`s referendum on joining the European Union must precede the filing of a membership application

ArmInfo. A referendum in Armenia on joining the European Union should precede the filing of a membership application, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin believes.

"The search for a place for Armenia in the European Union, initiated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's team, has led to a paradoxical situation where the real benefits of participation in the Eurasian Economic Union are being used to promote the ephemeral idea of joining a different integration bloc," the diplomat stated in an interview with TASS.

In his opinion, the logical outcome under the current circumstances would be a referendum in which the Armenian people would express their will, as stipulated in the country's Constitution, on the issue of its further integration course. "Moreover, logic dictates that we first need to hold a referendum and ask the people, and then submit an official application to Brussels, and not the other way around, as the Armenian leadership has been publicly insisting recently," Pankin said, noting that if an application is submitted, the public's opinion will no longer be of interest.

"To ensure an objective understanding of the clear advantages Armenia has received as a member of the Eurasian Economic Union and the possible losses from severing integration ties, a report on the possible consequences of suspending the EAEU Treaty for Armenia, prepared in pursuance of a joint statement by the presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia, was recently presented to the public," the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister recalled.

He clarified that the scenario outlined in the report is considered an extreme measure to prevent risks to economic security and damage to the Union's member states. "Whether this will be implemented depends on the Armenian leadership's willingness to address the concerns of the other Eurasian Economic Union member states," Pankin stated, adding that Moscow has not yet received any constructive signals from Yerevan on this matter.

On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking to journalists, suggested that Armenia decide on its membership in the EU and the EAEU as soon as possible, expressing its readiness to "begin a civilized divorce" if necessary. Yerevan responded by stating that it would leave the EAEU whenever it deemed it necessary. And on May 29, the heads of four of the five EAEU member states adopted a resolution recommending that Armenia hold a referendum on its continued membership in the EAEU. On the same day, the Russian president stated that Armenia could not sit on two chairs and needed to make a choice as soon as possible.

On November 3, the Armenian prime minister announced that Armenia plans to officially submit an application for EU membership in 2027-2028. He also emphasized that Yerevan does not yet see a need for a referendum on the choice between the EU and the EAEU.

It should be noted that on January 9, 2025, the Armenian government approved a draft law on the beginning of the process of joining the European Union, proposed by the "Eurakve" civic initiative. The draft was sent to the Armenian parliament for approval. On March 26, the parliament adopted it in its final reading and sent it to the president for signature. The document was signed on April 4 of that year. Moscow stated that Russia had conveyed to Armenia that simultaneous membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union was impossible.