Armenia Takes First Step Toward EU Membership

Armenia has officially taken the first step towards European Union membership by endorsing a draft bill that begins the accession process. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that while the bill initiates negotiations, actual membership would require a referendum and could be a lengthy process. The move reflects Armenia's shift towards the West and away from its traditional alliance with Moscow, which has been criticized for not defending Armenia against Azerbaijan. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged Armenia's sovereign right to pursue EU membership but noted it would conflict with Armenia's current membership in the Eurasian Economic Union. Armenia's accession to the EU faces challenges, including its lack of a shared border with the EU and ongoing tensions with Azerbaijan. The process is expected to be complex, as seen with other former Soviet states like Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, which have successfully joined the EU.