Pashinyan says EAEU partners' statement effectively backs referendum on Armenia's EU accession

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Tuesday that a statement adopted by the leaders of four fellow Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states effectively endorses the idea of holding a referendum in Armenia on the country’s potential membership in the European Union.

Speaking during a campaign event in Armenia’s Gegharkunik Province, Pashinyan described the document, adopted following an EAEU summit in Astana on May 29, as “very balanced.”

“In essence, it means that our colleagues from the four countries of the Eurasian Economic Union support the idea of a referendum in Armenia on joining the European Union,” Pashinyan said in response to a question from a journalist with the Russian newspaper Izvestia.

He emphasized, however, that such a vote remains hypothetical because Armenia has not formally applied for EU membership.

“Until Armenia actually applies to become a full member of the European Union, there is no concrete issue to put before a referendum,” Pashinyan said. “As long as it has not happened, there will be no referendum. If and when it does, there will be a referendum.”

Pashinyan also disclosed that he spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, saying the Russian leader had called to congratulate him on his birthday.

“I thanked him for the call. We discussed current issues, and the conversation was positive,” Pashinyan said.

He added that “the best step at this stage would be to move away from restrictions and similar measures."

Asked whether he would personally attend the next EAEU summit, Pashinyan replied, “Of course.”

The prime minister noted that he had informed his counterparts well in advance that he would be unable to attend the Astana meeting due to Armenia’s parliamentary election campaign. Armenia was represented at the summit by Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan.