Armenia Prepares EU Bid and Seeks Change in Railway Management
Political
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Yerevan does not plan to resume active participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) over the next five years. At the same time, his government is preparing to begin the process of applying for European Union membership and is seeking changes to the management of Armenia’s railway infrastructure.
Speaking in the National Assembly on August 24, Pashinyan said he would be pleased if the CSTO itself expelled Armenia from the organization. He said Yerevan’s interest in the CSTO had been exhausted. Armenia froze its participation in the organization’s activities in February 2024.
At the same time, Yerevan is pursuing closer ties with the European Union. Pashinyan said Armenia could soon begin the formal process of applying for EU membership. After the application is submitted and the EU responds, the authorities plan to develop a “road map”, after which the issue of membership would be put to a referendum.
The prime minister also focused on Armenia’s railway infrastructure. He urged Russia to “show flexibility” and transfer the railway concession to a third country acceptable to both Armenia and Russia. According to Pashinyan, Russian management creates risks for international investors and freight carriers and could prevent Armenia from taking advantage of opportunities to integrate into international transport networks.
Pashinyan linked the issue to the TRIPP (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) project, which he said could strengthen Armenia’s regional and international transport connectivity.
The Kremlin responded to Pashinyan’s remarks. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Armenia was free to leave the CSTO if Yerevan no longer considered membership necessary.
At the same time, Yerevan is pursuing closer ties with the European Union. Pashinyan said Armenia could soon begin the formal process of applying for EU membership. After the application is submitted and the EU responds, the authorities plan to develop a “road map”, after which the issue of membership would be put to a referendum.
The prime minister also focused on Armenia’s railway infrastructure. He urged Russia to “show flexibility” and transfer the railway concession to a third country acceptable to both Armenia and Russia. According to Pashinyan, Russian management creates risks for international investors and freight carriers and could prevent Armenia from taking advantage of opportunities to integrate into international transport networks.
Pashinyan linked the issue to the TRIPP (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) project, which he said could strengthen Armenia’s regional and international transport connectivity.
The Kremlin responded to Pashinyan’s remarks. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Armenia was free to leave the CSTO if Yerevan no longer considered membership necessary.
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