Pashinyan explains why a referendum on choosing between the EAEU and the EU is impossible

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, at a meeting of the EAEU Intergovernmental Council, revealed to his EAEU colleagues why a referendum on choosing between the EAEU and the EU is impossible.

"We understand that simultaneous membership in the EAEU and the EU is impossible, but the very fact of adopting a law on beginning accession to the EU means that Armenia has the opportunity to become a member of the European Union. When, in the future, Yerevan is ready for EU membership — that also does not mean that our country will automatically become an EU member. For that, the consent of EU members and of Armenia's citizens is also needed. On the other hand, it is impossible to put this question to the decision of Armenia's citizens without preliminary institutional work, and even after that it will be necessary to submit an official application to the EU for accession to the EU. And then it will be necessary to obtain the status of a candidate for EU accession," he said.

Pashinyan noted that without going through at least a large part of the listed stages, holding a referendum on this issue would be meaningless and would mean that we expect citizens to answer a question that does not currently exist.

"It would mean that we are putting the citizens of Armenia before a choice between alternatives, one of which does not exist. That would be disrespectful toward the people and illegitimate," the prime minister added.

Pashinyan noted that in the current relations between Armenia and the European Union there are no economic, legal, or political obligations that contradict the status of relations within the EAEU. He thanked his colleagues in the Eurasian Union for recognizing Armenia's legitimate right — as, incidentally, that of any other EAEU country — to develop relations with various partners and to create trade and economic alternatives for its country.

Moreover, the Armenian prime minister added, such an approach is useful for the EAEU, since the existence of possible alternatives is a factor that will contribute to the competitiveness and attractiveness of the EAEU. Hardly anyone would deny that there is work to be done in the union, and Armenia will carry out this work, the head of the republic's government added.

"The EAEU will become more attractive the more consistently we observe our own agreements and respect each other's sovereign rights," Pashinyan concluded.

Pashinyan noted that Armenia had taken note of the statement by the leaders of four EAEU states dated May 29, 2026, which supported the idea of holding a referendum in Armenia on the issue of joining the European Union. He remarked that in 2025 Armenia adopted a law on beginning the process of the republic's accession to the European Union, but its strategic goal was to create an alternative for Armenia.

On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at a press conference that Yerevan should decide as soon as possible on the issue of participation in the EU or the EAEU, allowing for the possibility of a "civilized divorce." According to him, a referendum could be held on this issue.

In turn, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated to journalists on May 11 that Armenia remains a full member of the EAEU, and that holding a referendum is possible only if an "objective necessity" arises.

After that, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk stated that some work is under way in Armenia on transitioning to EU standards, and if the country begins to amend technical regulations, then "this will already create certain threats to the EAEU."

At the EAEU summit held in Astana on May 29, the leaders of the member states of this association issued a joint statement which, in particular, spoke of the need to hold a referendum in Armenia as soon as possible on joining the EU or remaining in the EAEU. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated following the EAEU summit in Astana that Armenia could lose 14% of its GDP if it withdraws from the EAEU.

According to statistical data, Armenia will lose almost 40% of its trade turnover in the event of withdrawal from the Eurasian Economic Union.

Source: Sputnik Armenia