Leaving the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is not an objective. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this during a press briefing with Armenian reporters in Hamburg, Germany—and responding to the question of when, ultimately, Armenia will leave the EAEU.

“On the other hand, becoming an EU member is an objective [for Armenia][. We realize that simultaneous membership in the EAEU and the EU is not possible, and we realize that there is a point at which a decision must be made. But today is not that point; today there is no need to make a decision. That is a decision of ‘taste.’ If today there is no need to make that decision, why should we [i.e. Armenia] make [it]? When the time comes that we have reached that point and need to make a decision, then we will make [it],” Pashinyan added.

“Now the question arises: why have we passed a law to begin the EU accession process? First of all, it is an additional incentive for us to continue democratic reforms; [that] we have additional incentive to align all sectors with EU standards. What does it mean to be an EU member state? It means meeting EU criteria in all domains. As long as we do not objectively meet those criteria, we cannot become an EU member,” he said.

“Therefore, the first task on that path is to have a country that meets EU standards. When we reach that point, we will apply to the EU for accession. Then there are two options: they will either accept or not accepted us [into] the EU. Moreover, it may happen that the EU no longer wishes to enlarge. The essence of our plan is that when we reach that point, regardless of whether or not they accept us into the EU, we will come out as winners, because if under those conditions we become an EU member, very good; if we don’t, we will still come out as winners, because we will have a state that fully complies with EU standards,” said the Armenian premier.