Armenia to apply for EU membership

On August 24, 2026, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that Armenia intends to begin the process of formally applying for European Union membership in the near future. Speaking at the presentation of the government's 2026-2031 program in parliament, Pashinyan stated that Armenia must first submit an official membership application before preparing a roadmap for a potential referendum on EU accession. He emphasized that the process would require substantial work and that Yerevan would heed concerns raised by partners in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Pashinyan also criticized Russian restrictions on Armenian exports as contradicting EAEU regulations, calling it a crisis for the bloc but an opportunity for Armenia. The announcement follows Armenia's parliament approval in March 2025 of a law to launch the EU membership process. Pashinyan noted that a referendum would be meaningful once the process reaches a decisive stage and a roadmap is prepared, and he cited a May 29 joint statement by EAEU leaders supporting such a referendum. Armenia remains a member of the EAEU while deepening ties with the EU, and the first EU-Armenia summit was held in May.