Armenia’s parliament on Wednesday passed a bill at first reading to start the process of joining the European Union, a move that Russia has warned would have consequences.
The bill, supported by 63 deputies and opposed by seven, follows the government’s approval of the draft law in early January.
The "I Have Honour" center-right opposition bloc voted against the measure, while members of the larger center-left Armenia Alliance abstained from the vote.
The bill was introduced after Armenia’s Central Election Commission validated a petition with 50,000 signatures supporting the proposal.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that adopting the bill “doesn’t literally mean Armenia is joining the EU” but signals the start of discussions.
He added that such a move would need to be approved by Armenians in a referendum.
Russia, Armenia’s long-time ally, has warned Yerevan about the downsides of its EU bid.
Earlier this week, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said in an interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia that the European Union is “demanding political loyalty from Armenia and its adherence to anti-Russian sanctions” without “offering any assurances or making serious commitments regarding visa-free relations.”
Russian officials have repeatedly questioned the compatibility of Armenia’s EU ambitions with its membership in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
The issue was raised in a recent call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pashinyan, where Putin shared “his comments and assessments” on the matter, according to the OC-media news outlet.
Arman Yeghoyan, chair of the Parliamentary Committee on European Integration Affairs, acknowledged the economic implications, saying: “If Armenia were to sign a free trade agreement with the EU, the day it takes effect, Armenia would no longer be able to be a member of the Eurasian Economic Union.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that joining the EU is “Armenia’s sovereign right” but cautioned that accession could be a lengthy process. “Countries wait decades in line to join the EU,” he added.
The first EU expert mission arrived in Armenia this week to discuss visa liberalization.
The "I Have Honour" center-right opposition bloc voted against the measure, while members of the larger center-left Armenia Alliance abstained from the vote.
The bill was introduced after Armenia’s Central Election Commission validated a petition with 50,000 signatures supporting the proposal.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that adopting the bill “doesn’t literally mean Armenia is joining the EU” but signals the start of discussions.
He added that such a move would need to be approved by Armenians in a referendum.
Warning from Moscow
Russia, Armenia’s long-time ally, has warned Yerevan about the downsides of its EU bid.
Earlier this week, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said in an interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia that the European Union is “demanding political loyalty from Armenia and its adherence to anti-Russian sanctions” without “offering any assurances or making serious commitments regarding visa-free relations.”
Russian officials have repeatedly questioned the compatibility of Armenia’s EU ambitions with its membership in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
The issue was raised in a recent call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pashinyan, where Putin shared “his comments and assessments” on the matter, according to the OC-media news outlet.
Arman Yeghoyan, chair of the Parliamentary Committee on European Integration Affairs, acknowledged the economic implications, saying: “If Armenia were to sign a free trade agreement with the EU, the day it takes effect, Armenia would no longer be able to be a member of the Eurasian Economic Union.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that joining the EU is “Armenia’s sovereign right” but cautioned that accession could be a lengthy process. “Countries wait decades in line to join the EU,” he added.
The first EU expert mission arrived in Armenia this week to discuss visa liberalization.
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