Armenia deepening relations with US, EU, considers joining EU, FM says
Signaling a potential pivot away from Moscow, Armenia's foreign minister revealed the country is weighing an EU membership application driven by public pro-European sentiments.
He said the US and the EU are “main supporters of the democratic changes in Armenia, institutional changes.”
“We’re right in the middle of the process of significantly deepening our relations with the European Union, with the United States of America, keeping the traditional ties (implying Russia, – Ed.),” Mirzoyan said.
The Armenian minister says the priority for Armenia is “to normalize relations with neighbors.” The statement follows Armenia’s recent loss of control over Azerbaijan’s Nagorny Karabakh region after conflicts in 2020 and 2023.
Asked about the possibility of Armenia’s leaning towards the EU or NATO membership, the Armenian FM replied:
“Many new opportunities are largely being discussed in Armenia nowadays. that will not be a secret if I say that an idea such as also membership in the European Union. […] The people of Armenia does have European [aspirations],” Mirzoyan said, noting that Armenia is passing through “serious transformations” and nobody can predict how this process would end.
In February 2024, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan said that his country’s isn’t Moscow’s ally in the Russo-Ukrainian war. Later, he suspended Armenia’s participation in the CSTO – a Russian-led NATO-like alliance, calling the organization “a threat to the national security.”
Last fall, Armenia sent its first humanitarian aid package to Ukraine.
Read also:
- Armenia, Azerbaijan breakthrough signals end of Russia’s South Caucasus influence
- Armenia participates in Ukraine peace formula summit for the first time
- Armenia ratifies ICC Rome Statute, opening path to arrest Putin
- Russo-Ukrainian war, day 560: Armenia questions ties with Russia, sends first aid to Ukraine
You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.
We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society.
A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support.
