Armenian PM dismisses EU and EAEU membership referendum as 'unreasonable'

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Monday dismissed the idea of holding a referendum on withdrawing from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and joining the European Union (EU) as ‘unreasonable.’

Armenpress, the state news agency, reported that Pashinyan, in a social media video statement, said Yerevan would continue working within the EAEU framework until the choice between the EAEU and EU ‘becomes unavoidable.’

‘Of course, this decision must be made by the Armenian people through a referendum,’ he added, explaining that there is currently no basis for such a vote as European integration has not reached a stage where a clear choice can be presented.

Pashinyan stated that holding any referendum on the topic would be ‘unreasonable’ until Armenia formally applies for EU membership or nears candidate status.

‘Currently, the choice is theoretical, and putting a theoretical choice to a referendum is neither reasonable nor justified,’ he said.

‘Therefore, we will continue working calmly and steadily within the Eurasian Economic Union without discord, and I believe we still have potential in this direction which we will capitalise on in the near future,’ he added.

Pashinyan’s remarks came as EAEU member states called for an ‘immediate’ referendum in Armenia regarding EU accession or continued EAEU membership in a joint statement issued on Sunday.

‘We agree on the need for a national referendum in the Republic of Armenia on EU accession or continued EAEU membership as soon as possible,’ the statement said.

The EAEU comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. Established in 2015 under Kazakhstan’s initiative to maintain economic ties in the Eurasian region, the bloc has seen growing geopolitical tensions in recent months due to Yerevan’s increased engagement with the EU and the passage of laws last year initiating EU accession processes.

Russian officials have repeatedly warned that EU and EAEU membership are incompatible, while Armenian authorities maintain their intention to preserve EAEU cooperation while expanding ties with Europe.