Armenia’s leadership wants to join the European Union and will hold a referendum for that purpose “in the near future,” said Armenia’s Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan on Wednesday, reports Azatutyun, citing Simonyan’s interview with Latvia’s Rus.LSM news service.
During his visit to Latvia, Simonyan announced the plans, signaling a strategic shift towards Europe amid evolving relations with Russia. He expressed confidence in the support of the Armenian people, anticipating a positive outcome from the upcoming vote.
“Our society has made a decision to be part of the European Union,” said Simonyan in an interview with Latvia’s Rus.LSM news service. The idea first surfaced publicly in February when Simonyan, a key figure in Prime Minister Pashinyan’s circle, voiced it amidst deteriorating Russian-Armenian relations.
Following the initial mention, PM Pashinyan engaged in discussions with members of his Civil Contract party, though he has since remained silent on the matter. The issue resurfaced last week during a parliamentary hearing in Yerevan, where pro-Western groups supportive of the government advocated for a referendum within the next three months.
“I think that sometime in the near future we will have this referendum and I am sure that our people will say yes,” added Simonyan.
However, opposition figures in Armenia are skeptical, suggesting the EU membership push has a near-zero chance of success. They argue that Pashinyan’s proposal aims to distract Armenians and secure support for his policies towards Azerbaijan, potentially including the EU referendum with a vote on a new constitution demanded by Baku.
In a significant dialogue reinforcing Armenia’s European tilt, Latvia’s Parliament Speaker Daiga Mierina, following her discussions with Simonyan, said, “Armenia is on its way to the European Union,” and therefore wants to leave the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). She added, “Armenia also informed us that the Russian military is gradually leaving the country.”
Despite planning to eventually leave the CSTO, Pashinyan’s administration has so far announced no plans to demand the closure of the Russian military base in Armenia or the withdrawal of Russian border guards deployed along the country’s frontier with Turkey and Iran. Some Russian pundits believe that it will eventually do so.
Earlier this week, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk issued a stark warning, stating that Armenia will lose its tariff-free access to the Russian market and other economic benefits if it pursues EU membership. Overchuk emphasized the strategic costs, stating, “The benefits that a country receives from proximity to Russia must also be perceived as the price we pay for our security and strategic depth.” He added, “So the arrival of some extra-regional players there would, of course, have consequences. We don’t do gifts.”
This statement comes as economic ties between Armenia and Russia remain substantial, with Russia accounting for over 35% of Armenia’s foreign trade last year, significantly higher than the EU’s 13% share. Russia is also Armenia’s principal supplier of natural gas, providing it at prices well below international levels. Russia also absorbed 40% of Armenian exports worth $8.4 billion.
