The Armenian National Assembly’s Committee on European Integration has approved the draft law titled “On Initiating the Process of Armenia’s Membership in the European Union.” The draft is now set to be debated at the parliament’s plenary session scheduled for February 11.
During the committee session, the draft’s proponents presented their arguments, emphasizing the law’s significance not only for the Armenian people but also for the government. They stressed that while the law does not immediately seek membership, it symbolizes Armenia’s commitment to closer alignment with European structures.
Before the session, parliamentary experts had expressed concerns about the draft’s compliance with legal standards and the procedural requirements for joining supranational organizations, including Armenia’s “Law on Normative Legal Acts.” Despite these concerns, the committee gave its approval.
The draft law’s authors clarified that decisions on joining such supranational bodies would ultimately require a public referendum. They also emphasized that this initiative is more of a political signal rather than a concrete step toward EU membership.
Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan, present at the discussion, highlighted Armenia’s ongoing cooperation with the EU but refrained from detailing specific steps the government might take after the parliament’s approval. Hovhannisyan also avoided directly answering whether Armenia has received indications of acceptance from the EU.
The draft law reflects Armenia’s delicate balancing act between its existing commitments within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and its aspirations for deeper integration with the EU. It leaves the timeline for potential changes in Armenia’s geopolitical alignments open-ended, providing the government flexibility to act based on circumstances.
The draft will now proceed to the parliamentary plenary session on February 11, marking a significant step in Armenia’s ongoing dialogue with the European Union.