European Commission: Armenia closer to EU than ever 

ArmInfo. Armenia is closer to the European Union than ever, European Commission Spokesperson Markus Lammert stated during a briefing.

Recalling the successful holding of the first EU-Armenia summit in  Yerevan, Lammert praised bilateral cooperation within the framework  of the Resilience and Growth Action Plan, the European Peace  Facility, and partnership missions.

He noted that Yerevan has already taken the first step toward EU  membership by adopting a bill to begin the accession process, calling  this an important symbolic step.

"EU membership presupposes a clear process and requires a formal  application from the candidate country.  We are already working to  bring Armenia closer to the EU through transport and energy links,  trade, and other areas," Lammert noted, according to media reports.

European Commission Spokesperson Paula Pinho, in turn, stated that  the EU is following developments in Armenia with great interest,  adding that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen  supports the position of Armenian citizens regarding the European  Union.

As a reminder, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced from  the parliamentary rostrum on August 24 that the country intends to  apply for EU membership in the near future. He also expressed his  belief that the country should hold a referendum on joining the EU or  the EAEU only after submitting an application for EU membership and  receiving a response.

On January 9, 2025, the Armenian government approved a draft law on  the start of the EU accession process, proposed by the "Eurakve"  civic initiative. The draft was sent to the Armenian parliament for  approval. On March 26, the parliament adopted it in its final reading  and sent it to the president for signature. The document was signed  on April 4 of that year. Moscow stated that Russia had conveyed to  Armenia that simultaneous membership in the Eurasian Economic Union  and the European Union was impossible.