Armenia’s EU accession bill clears parliament: What it means for the country’s future

Armenia’s parliament passed a bill on Wednesday to start the country’s bid for EU membership. This move further distances the country from its longtime ally, Russia.

This comes amid Armenia’s frustration with Moscow for not protecting it against Azerbaijan. Since then, Armenia has been strengthening ties with the West in recent years.

The bill was approved with 64 votes from the ruling Civil Contract party, while seven opposition MPs opposed it. It urges the government to begin the process of joining the EU.

It was introduced in parliament as a civil initiative after collecting 60,000 signatures.

“The Republic of Armenia… is announcing the launch of the process of the accession of the Republic of Armenia into the European Union,” the text of the bill reads.

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Relations between Armenia and Russia worsened after Azerbaijan’s offensive in 2023, which defeated Armenian-backed separatists in Karabakh.

Armenia blamed Russia, which had nearly 2,000 troops there, for not stopping the fighting or the mass exodus of over 100,000 Armenians from the region.

Four days after the offensive, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told the nation in a televised address that Yerevan’s current security alliances were “ineffective” and “insufficient”.

In February 2024, he froze Armenia’s participation in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation, a defence grouping of several ex-Soviet states similar to NATO.

Yerevan also joined the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Moscow’s wishes—a move that obliges the country to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin should he visit Armenia.

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It launched visa liberalisation talks with the European Union in September 2024 and deepened its defence ties with France. In July 2024, it held military drills with US troops.

Moscow has reacted with dismay to these moves, accusing Yerevan of trying to rupture ties.

Russia announced it was pulling its peacekeepers from Karabakh last year and removing some troops and border guards from the Caucasus state.

What does this mean for Armenia?

Initiating the EU accession process could have profound implications for Armenia’s economic and political landscape. Aligning with EU standards may attract investment and foster economic growth. Politically, it could lead to a redefinition of Armenia’s alliances and regional strategies. However, this path also presents challenges, including the need to balance existing relationships and navigate the rigorous accession requirements.