Pashinyan: Referendum on Choosing Between the EU and the EAEU Would Be Meaningless for Now
Economy
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that holding a referendum on choosing between the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) would have no practical value at this stage. According to him, such a decision can only be considered after the necessary institutional procedures have been completed and a formal basis for public voting exists.
Speaking at the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting in Kyrgyzstan, Pashinyan said Armenia must first complete several preparatory steps, including submitting an official application for EU membership. Until then, he noted, there is no substantive issue for citizens to decide.
"Without completing at least a significant part of these stages, holding such a referendum would be meaningless and would amount to asking citizens to answer a question that does not yet exist," the prime minister said.
He added that organizing such a vote now would show disrespect toward Armenian citizens and would lack practical legitimacy.
Pashinyan also reaffirmed that cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union remains one of Armenia's key foreign economic priorities. At the same time, he recalled that Armenia adopted a law in 2025 launching the process toward EU accession, but stressed that this does not mean the country has already begun the process of becoming an EU member.
The prime minister emphasized that Armenia understands simultaneous membership in both the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union is impossible, making any future decision dependent on a последовательный legal and institutional process.
"Without completing at least a significant part of these stages, holding such a referendum would be meaningless and would amount to asking citizens to answer a question that does not yet exist," the prime minister said.
He added that organizing such a vote now would show disrespect toward Armenian citizens and would lack practical legitimacy.
Pashinyan also reaffirmed that cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union remains one of Armenia's key foreign economic priorities. At the same time, he recalled that Armenia adopted a law in 2025 launching the process toward EU accession, but stressed that this does not mean the country has already begun the process of becoming an EU member.
The prime minister emphasized that Armenia understands simultaneous membership in both the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union is impossible, making any future decision dependent on a последовательный legal and institutional process.
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