Armenia's Prime Minister pushes back on Putin's referendum demands
Photo: Nikol Pashinyan (Getty Images)
Armenia currently sees no grounds for holding a referendum on choosing between EU membership and membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), according to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
The head of the Armenian government explained that the country’s European integration process has not yet reached the stage where citizens can be offered a clear choice. According to him, Armenia will continue to work within the framework of the EAEU until the choice between the two unions becomes inevitable.
"Until the point when Armenia has either officially applied for EU membership or is very close to obtaining candidate status, holding any referendum would be unreasonable," Pashinyan emphasizes.
He also adds that at present, such a choice is purely theoretical.
Background
The Armenian Prime Minister’s statement was a response to a joint appeal by the leaders of the four member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)—Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
In their document, they called on the Armenian authorities to hold a referendum as soon as possible and finally decide on the direction of movement between the EAEU and the European Union.
The CSTO includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Armenia.
Back in September 2023, Yerevan sharply criticized the CSTO for its lack of response to Azerbaijan’s military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Following this, Armenia set a course toward deepening cooperation with Western partners, while simultaneously distancing itself from Russia.
Russia has intensified pressure on Armenia over its intentions to deepen cooperation with the EU. In particular, Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev warned of a possible suspension of preferential supplies of gas, petroleum products, and diamonds.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin also stated that Armenia’s course toward European integration was absolutely unacceptable to Moscow. He emphasized that, in Russia’s view, such steps were inconsistent with Yerevan’s obligations within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Earlier, Putin warned Pashinyan against further rapprochement with the EU, threatening a so-called Ukrainian scenario. Putin called on Yerevan to coordinate its foreign policy decisions with the Kremlin and take into account Moscow’s position on European integration.
