Armenia begins process to join European Union

Armenia has commenced the process to become a part of the European Union, the presidential press service announced.

Armenian President, Vahagn Khachaturyan signed a law on April 4 in accordance with the “aspirations of citizens.”

On March 26, the parliament passed the bill on “Starting the process of accession of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union.”

The bill was initiated after a civil petition gathered 60,000 signatures, and was backed by 64 lawmakers. Seven lawmakers opposed.

Russia earlier warned that a country cannot be a member of both the EU and the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

“Being members of two different organizations, hypothetically speaking, is simply impossible,” said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

Founded in 2015, members of the EAEU are Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan, former Soviet states.

Armenia’s move to join the EU comes after the nation and Azerbaijan announced a peace treaty to end nearly four decades of conflict.

In March 2023, the EU Parliament urged the body to strengthen alliance with Armenia after it met the Maastricht Treaty’s requirements to apply for membership.