ArmInfo. Armenia under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will continue to work within the EAEU, as economic ties with union states, especially Russia, remain a crucial factor for the national economy, according to orientalist Andranik Hovhannisyan.
He noted that Pashinyan today confirmed his participation in the meeting of the EAEU Intergovernmental Council, which will be held on August 6-7 in Kyrgyzstan.
"The very fact of Pashinyan's participation in EAEU events demonstrates that the expectations of those who anticipated a sharp reversal in Armenia's foreign policy after the ruling party's success in the recent parliamentary elections were far from reality. It is regrettable that such assessments are often based on a superficial understanding of Armenia's domestic political and economic situation. Under Pashinyan, Armenia will continue to work within the EAEU, as economic ties with the union's member states, particularly Russia, remain a crucial factor for the national economy," the expert stated.
Furthermore, Hovhannisyan is confident that cooperation with Central Asian countries, through Kazakhstan, is seen as a promising direction in the context of diversifying economic ties and logistics routes.
At the same time, the political scientist suggested that Yerevan will consistently expand cooperation with European countries, increasing their share of foreign trade and gradually adapting individual sectors to European standards and requirements.
"However, Armenia's further rapprochement with the EU will largely depend on the development of the regional situation. Normalizing relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan is key. Only after the Armenian- Turkish border is opened and transport links are unblocked will Yerevan be able to more confidently and proactively take steps to deepen cooperation with the EU, having more sustainable economic and logistical capabilities to do so," he concluded in his Telegram post.
On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking to journalists, suggested that Armenia decide on its membership in the EU and the EAEU as soon as possible, expressing its readiness to "begin a civilized divorce" if necessary. Yerevan responded by stating that it would leave the EAEU whenever it deemed it necessary. And on May 29, the heads of four of the five EAEU countries adopted a resolution recommending that Armenia hold a referendum on its continued membership in the EAEU. That same day, the Russian president stated that Armenia could not afford to sit on two sides and needed to make a choice as soon as possible.
On January 9, 2025, the Armenian government approved a draft law on the initiation of the process of joining the European Union, proposed by the "Eurakve" civic initiative. The draft was sent to the Armenian parliament for approval. On March 26, the parliament adopted it in its final reading and sent it to the president for signature. The document was signed on April 4 of that year. Moscow stated that Russia had conveyed to Armenia that simultaneous membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union was impossible.
