ArmInfo.During discussions in the Commission on European Integration of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia on January 24, the authorized representative of the initiative group proposing the draft law for Armenia's accession process to the EU, former Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia Artak Zeynalyan, stated that a referendum will be held when the Armenian government decides to join the European Union.
However, one of the authors of the presented document pointed out that the draft law does not include provisions for that, it only addresses the initial stages of the process. Nevertheless, it is anticipated that at some stage holding a referendum will eventually become necessary. "This is a political process that we are initiating. There will be challenges ahead, and we should not anticipate immediate results. Our first priority should be obtain candidate status for EU membership," the former minister said.
In response to a question from Armen Gevorgyan, a member of the National Assembly from the opposition faction "Armenia", regarding the time for completing this process, that will require fundamental changes to the country's legislation, potentially leading to conflicts with the legislation of Eurasian Economic Union countries, Zeynalyan emphasized that the EAEU functions as an economic structure with a common customs area. Meanwhile, the standards applied in the EU are much more complex in their characteristics. However, if Armenian goods meet EU standards, they will also be applicable in the EAEU. From this point of view, the speaker continued, there should be no problems with the EAEU. "Yes, the customs areas of the EAEU and the EU are incompatible, as the EAEU is just an economic structure with its Customs Union. It is in our interests, and the countries themselves decide whether to remain in this structure or not," Zeynalyan said. In response, Armen Gevorgyan noted that after the adoption of the bill, a new geopolitical reality will begin to form, presenting a new challenge for Armenia with all the existing risks. "Whether you like it or not, this is how it will be," the oppositionist said.