Armenian Parliament Approves Bill to Begin EU Accession Process

On March 26, 2025, the Armenian Parliament officially passed a bill in its second reading, marking the beginning of Armenia’s accession process to the European Union (EU).

The legislation received 64 votes in favor, while seven lawmakers opposed the motion.

Armenia Pushes Forward Despite Russian Warnings

The move follows ongoing efforts by the Armenian government to deepen ties with the EU, despite explicit warnings from Russia. Earlier this year, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reaffirmed his government's commitment to pursuing EU membership, emphasizing that the decision was made in Armenia’s national interest.

In January 2025, the Armenian government formally endorsed a bill to initiate the country’s EU accession process. Commenting on the approval, Pashinyan stated:

"There is a very high probability that our parliament will adopt that law. It would mean legally that we start the process of getting more and more close to the European Union." – Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan

However, the Prime Minister clarified that the bill's adoption does not automatically grant Armenia EU membership. He stressed that joining the bloc cannot be decided solely by the government or parliament, as such a decision would require a referendum. French newspaper Le Monde reported that Pashinyan made it clear only a nationwide vote could ultimately determine Armenia’s entry into the EU.

EU Ready to Consider Armenia’s Membership Application

In response to Armenia’s ambitions, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos confirmed that Brussels would accept an official membership application if submitted.

Armenia and the EU have maintained strong relations over the years. In 2024, the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally announced its intention to apply for EU membership, a step expected to further strengthen diplomatic and economic ties.

In March 2024, the European Parliament adopted a resolution confirming that Armenia meets all the necessary conditions and is eligible to apply for EU membership, bringing the country one step closer to its European aspirations.

Visa Liberalization With the EU Remains a Key Priority

Alongside its EU accession efforts, Armenia is also working towards securing visa-free travel for its citizens within the EU.

Addressing this issue, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stressed that visa liberalization remains a top priority for his government, emphasizing the growing demand from Armenian citizens for easier access to the EU.

"Now, this atmosphere has understandably created an expectation among the citizens of Armenia that this matter will be resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible, especially since there is a big problem related to obtaining visas from EU countries." – Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan

Pashinyan noted that this has been on Armenia’s agenda for a long time, and his government expects progress on visa liberalization soon.

As Armenia moves forward with its European integration efforts, the coming months will be crucial in determining the next steps in the country’s EU membership journey, as well as potential breakthroughs in visa-free travel negotiations with Brussels. 

By fLEXI tEAM