Pashinyan: Armenia is moving towards EU standards while maintaining its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union
14.01.2026,
15:31
Armenia is moving towards compliance with EU standards while maintaining its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this during a panel discussion entitled "Armenia and the World: At the Crossroads of Risks and Opportunities."
YEREVAN, January 14. /ARKA/. Armenia is moving towards compliance with EU standards while maintaining its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this during a panel discussion entitled "Armenia and the World: At the Crossroads of Risks and Opportunities."
"As long as compatibility is possible, we will remain a member of the Eurasian Economic Union. When this becomes impossible, we, together with the citizens of Armenia, will make a decision based on the free expression of the will of the Armenian people," he said.
Pashinyan stated the Armenian government's position.
"Now our strategy is this: we must very firmly and clearly follow the path of transforming Armenia into a country that meets EU standards," he said.
According to the Prime Minister, once Armenia meets the standards, there are two options: either the country will become an EU member, or for some reason, it will not be admitted to the union.
He expressed the opinion that Armenia benefits in both cases, because in one case it becomes a full member of the EU, and in the other, a state that meets EU standards.
"Armenia cannot be a member of both the EU and the EAEU simultaneously. But now it becomes clear that there is a different reality, one in which Armenia is moving toward EU membership and remains a member of the EAEU. Today, Armenia is a member of the EAEU, which means there is no incompatibility; otherwise, this would be impossible," Pashinyan said.
The Prime Minister also noted that, contrary to the widespread belief that Armenia lacks a choice, this process has demonstrated the existence of alternatives that today form a "menu" of possible solutions for the people of Armenia.
"As long as compatibility is possible, we will remain a member of the Eurasian Economic Union. When this becomes impossible, we, together with the citizens of Armenia, will make a decision based on the free expression of the will of the Armenian people," he said.
Pashinyan stated the Armenian government's position.
"Now our strategy is this: we must very firmly and clearly follow the path of transforming Armenia into a country that meets EU standards," he said.
According to the Prime Minister, once Armenia meets the standards, there are two options: either the country will become an EU member, or for some reason, it will not be admitted to the union.
He expressed the opinion that Armenia benefits in both cases, because in one case it becomes a full member of the EU, and in the other, a state that meets EU standards.
"Armenia cannot be a member of both the EU and the EAEU simultaneously. But now it becomes clear that there is a different reality, one in which Armenia is moving toward EU membership and remains a member of the EAEU. Today, Armenia is a member of the EAEU, which means there is no incompatibility; otherwise, this would be impossible," Pashinyan said.
The Prime Minister also noted that, contrary to the widespread belief that Armenia lacks a choice, this process has demonstrated the existence of alternatives that today form a "menu" of possible solutions for the people of Armenia.
