Brussels to Support Armenia in EU Membership Aspirations

The European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, has announced that the European Union will support Armenia's goal of becoming a member of the EU. During a briefing in Brussels, the Commissioner emphasized that the meeting of the European Political Community and the EU-Armenia summit have clarified Yerevan's chosen path, and Europe is ready to assist in this endeavor.

This statement follows recent discussions about Armenia's membership in both the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested including the matter of Armenia's projects related to the EU in the agenda of the upcoming EAEU summit during a press conference.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has repeatedly emphasized the desire to join the European Union, adding that meeting the established criteria is essential. However, during negotiations with Pashinyan on April 1, Putin noted that being part of both the EU and the EAEU simultaneously within the same customs union is fundamentally impossible, labeling it an economic issue.

According to the Russian President, it would be prudent for Yerevan to hold a referendum on developing cooperation with the European Union, taking into account the interests of its own citizens and Russia as a key economic partner. He indicated that, in such a scenario, Russia would draw conclusions and opt for a 'soft, intelligent, and mutually beneficial divorce' option.