Armenian parliament approves bill on starting accession process to European Union

YEREVAN, February 12./ ARKA/. By a vote of 63 to 7 the Armenian National Assembly has approved today in the first reading a bill that calls for launching the process of the country’s accession to the European Union.

The bill is the civil initiative of the Platform of Democratic Forces, which managed to collect 60 thousand signatures in less than 2 months for its submission to the government and parliament consideration (the law requires 50 thousand signatures). The bill was backed by lawmakers from PM Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party. The opposition Hayastan (Armenia) alliance did not participate in the voting, while another opposition Pativ Unem (I Have Honor) bloc voted against.

On January 9, 2025 the Armenian government approved a civic initiative on Armenia's accession to the EU, proposed by the Platform of Democratic Forces.

On January 24, the Parliamentary Committee on European Integration gave a positive conclusion to the draft law.

PM Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia can become a member of the EU only if the people approve this initiative in a referendum. He pointed to the need to discuss and develop a joint roadmap with the EU.

The draft law states that ‘the Republic of Armenia, expressing the will of the people, setting the task of making Armenia a safe, secure, developed, and prosperous country, announces the start of the process of Armenia's accession to the EU.’-0-