Armenia Takes a Bold Step Towards EU Membership Amid Tensions with Russia
In a significant move reflecting Armenia’s shifting geopolitical stance, the country's parliament has approved a bill urging the government to initiate the process of joining the European Union. The 64-7 vote on March 26 marks a pivotal moment in Armenia's westward trajectory, moving away from traditional alliances, particularly with Russia, amid growing concerns over Moscow's lack of support in the ongoing turmoil with Azerbaijan.
The bill, championed by the ruling Civil Contract party, was articulated by Artak Zeynalian, a former justice minister, who expressed that this decision signifies Armenia's political will towards EU integration. "We submitted this bill so that the Republic of Armenia can express its political will for movement in the direction of the European Union. This process is irreversible. The people are calling for it," Zeynalian stated.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, who supported the bill in January, acknowledged that joining the EU entails a significant transformation, including crucial reforms in the justice system and potentially a national referendum.
Armenia's aspiration for EU membership comes against a backdrop of escalating tensions with Azerbaijan over the historically disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, predominantly inhabited by ethnic Armenians since the Soviet era but recognized internationally as Azerbaijani territory. Following Azerbaijan's rapid military gains in September 2023, which resulted in around 100,000 ethnic Armenians fleeing from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, Yerevan has increasingly pointed fingers at Russia's inactivity, despite its military presence in the region.
The dissatisfaction with Russia's response prompted Pashinian to declare the existing security alliances, particularly with the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), as ineffective. In a move illustrative of this shift, Armenia froze its participation in the CSTO in February 2024, and strengthened its defense relationships with Western nations, including military drills with U.S. troops in June 2024 and a strategic partnership agreement with the United States earlier this year.
Despite the push for EU membership, Russian officials have warned Armenia of potential repercussions, especially regarding its economic ties. Aleksei Overchuk, Russia's deputy prime minister for Eurasian integration, indicated that pursuing EU accession could jeopardize Armenia's participation in the Eurasian Economic Union, a trade bloc dominated by Moscow. Furthermore, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu cautioned that Armenia could face tariffs on trade and increases in natural gas prices, alongside the risk of losing jobs for many Armenian migrant workers in Russia.
Last week, Armenia and Azerbaijan announced they had completed the text of a historic peace agreement, although details about when it will be formally signed remain uncertain. As Armenia navigates its path toward potential EU membership, the decisions made in the coming months will undoubtedly shape the country's future and its complex relations with both the West and Russia.
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