Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reiterated on November 5 his earlier remarks in Brussels about the possibility of launching the EU accession process in 2027–2028.

Pashinyan clarified that this did not mean preparations for accession had begun. Rather, he said, Armenia had begun preparations, as promised to the public, to develop an alternative.

The prime minister assured that Armenia had no intention of leaving the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), although his counterparts in the bloc had raised the issue and called on Yerevan to clarify its position and hold a referendum.

Pashinyan recalled that he had previously said there were currently no grounds for holding a referendum. He explained that certain procedures would first need to be completed before a referendum on EU membership could be held.

“I believe it is clear that this process is moving in that direction, so that we could eventually formally apply to launch the full EU accession process in 2027 or 2028. Especially since there is already a law in force,” he said.