EU views Armenia’s membership push with ‘interest’

The European Union expressed "interest" in Armenia's aspirations to join the bloc, following Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's announcement that Yerevan could initiate the membership application process soon. Armenia, a nation formally allied with Russia, has been strengthening its ties with the EU despite Russia's perceived inability to protect it during conflicts with neighboring Azerbaijan.

Upon lodging an application, Armenia would hold a referendum on membership, according to Pashinyan. The EU spokeswoman Paula Pinho stated that Armenia's interest in joining is a reflection of the EU's appeal to citizens. However, another EU spokesperson emphasized that the process of becoming a member is rigorous and merit-based.

It requires a formal application from the aspiring country, and the bloc is already working to bring Armenia closer to the EU through various means such as connectivity and trade. Moscow has intensified its pressure on Yerevan over its EU aspirations by imposing import curbs. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Armenia in June that its EU rapprochement bears similarities to Ukraine's experience, which began with Kyiv's EU ambitions.

Currently, there are nine official candidate countries, including Armenia and its fellow ex-Soviet states Ukraine and Moldova, who have applied to join the EU, which currently consists of 27 nations. Turkey, another regional rival of Armenia, has been on the EU's waiting list for decades.