Armenia to initiate EU accession process, Pashinyan announces

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has announced that Armenia intends to soon initiate the official process of joining the European Union. This move signals a significant geopolitical shift as the country seeks to distance itself from Russian influence and move closer to Western institutions.

Pashinyan addressed Russian requests for a referendum regarding whether Armenia should remain in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) or join the EU. He stated that a referendum would be premature until after an official application is submitted, a response is received, and a potential roadmap for accession is established.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister expressed a desire for Armenia to be excluded from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Russian-led military alliance. Armenia has already frozen its participation in the CSTO, citing the organization's failure to fulfill its obligations to the country.