Armenia's second president describes country's EU membership process as sham
07.10.2025,
12:36
Robert Kocharyan, Armenia's second president, described the EU membership process as a sham.
YEREVAN, October 7. /ARКА/. Robert Kocharyan, Armenia's second president, described the EU membership process as a sham.
"This process is a sham because there are explicit regulations concerning EU membership. In this regard, the Armenian authorities are making merely declarative statements, thus creating a facade. For instance, just yesterday, a department for European integration was established within the Armenian Foreign Ministry. It is quite intriguing that while there is no actual European integration, a department has been formed," Kocharyan remarked during a press conference on Tuesday.
He asserted that Armenia's EU membership is not foreseeable in the future; it is merely wishful thinking and a sham, especially as efforts are being made to distance the country from Russia.
Regarding Armenia's progress towards the EU
On March 26, 2025, the National Assembly of Armenia ratified a draft law concerning the nation's accession to the European Union. The law received the President of Armenia's signature on April 4.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan indicated that Armenia does not intend to cut economic ties with the Eurasian Economic Union and Russia, but is instead focusing on economic diversification and aims to enhance trade with the European Union.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that initiating the EU accession process mitigates certain foreign policy risks. He mentioned that Armenia can only achieve EU membership if the populace endorses this initiative through a referendum, and that the primary challenge facing Armenia in the EU accession process is adherence to EU standards.-0-
"This process is a sham because there are explicit regulations concerning EU membership. In this regard, the Armenian authorities are making merely declarative statements, thus creating a facade. For instance, just yesterday, a department for European integration was established within the Armenian Foreign Ministry. It is quite intriguing that while there is no actual European integration, a department has been formed," Kocharyan remarked during a press conference on Tuesday.
He asserted that Armenia's EU membership is not foreseeable in the future; it is merely wishful thinking and a sham, especially as efforts are being made to distance the country from Russia.
Regarding Armenia's progress towards the EU
On March 26, 2025, the National Assembly of Armenia ratified a draft law concerning the nation's accession to the European Union. The law received the President of Armenia's signature on April 4.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan indicated that Armenia does not intend to cut economic ties with the Eurasian Economic Union and Russia, but is instead focusing on economic diversification and aims to enhance trade with the European Union.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that initiating the EU accession process mitigates certain foreign policy risks. He mentioned that Armenia can only achieve EU membership if the populace endorses this initiative through a referendum, and that the primary challenge facing Armenia in the EU accession process is adherence to EU standards.-0-
