Armenia has taken a major symbolic step toward the European Union as its parliament approved a law on Wednesday to initiate the accession process to the bloc.
The bill, titled “On the Beginning of the Process of the Republic of Armenia’s Accession to the European Union,” passed in its second and final reading with 64 votes in favor and 7 against. The largest opposition bloc, led by former President Robert Kocharyan, boycotted the vote, calling the move a “mockery.”
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the law is not a formal application for EU membership, but a “manifestation of the desire of citizens.” The legislation stemmed from an initiative launched by the Platform of Democratic Forces civil group, which gained momentum after collecting over 60,000 signatures, triggering a response from lawmakers.
The legislation sets the stage for a broader partnership program with the EU, outlining short, medium, and long-term objectives aimed at greater political, economic, and security alignment with Europe.
The move, however, risks deepening rifts with longtime ally Russia.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that the bill’s adoption does not constitute EU membership and said any actual membership bid would require a national referendum.
In the wake of Azerbaijan’s 2023 offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh and the mass displacement of over 100,000 ethnic Armenians, Pashinyan declared Armenia’s traditional security alliances with Russia “ineffective.”
Since then, Yerevan has frozen its involvement in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), joined the International Criminal Court, deepened defense ties with France, launched visa liberalization talks with the EU, and hosted joint military drills with U.S. troops.
These developments have sparked strong criticism from Moscow, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warning that Armenia can not pursue EU membership while remaining part of the Russia-backed Eurasian Economic Union.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in January, Pashinyan insisted that Yerevan wants to balance its relations with the European Union and regional powerhouses, namely Russia.
“I think this is the only pragmatic way to go forward,” he told the panel discussion on Expanding Europe’s Influence, “because losing the balance could lead to very heavy consequences for security and stability, not only in terms of a country, but in terms of a region and in terms of global stability.
“Any instability in any region could start a chain reaction worldwide, even in small countries and regions. That’s why I think to be balanced and not forgetting about the task of balancing is the most important thing.”
