Armenia cannot join EU ‘today, tomorrow or next year,’ finance minister says

By Lia Avagyan

Armenia is not yet in a position to choose between joining the European Union and remaining in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan said, days after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that Yerevan would probably soon begin the process of formally applying for EU membership.

“Today Armenia cannot join the European Union, it cannot tomorrow either, and it cannot next year either, because those standards need to be improved,” Hovhannisyan said in an interview broadcast by Armenia’s Shant TV on Thursday evening.

The remarks add economic context to a debate that has intensified as Armenia deepens ties with the European Union while remaining a member of the EAEU, which also includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Hovhannisyan said he viewed movement toward the European Union primarily as a process of changing Armenian standards and aligning them with European requirements.

“In my understanding, moving toward the European Union means changing Armenian standards. That is, before you become a member of the European Union, you have to bring all your standards in various areas into line with European standards,” he said.

Only after Armenia has made those changes could the question of making a choice arise, Hovhannisyan said.

“When we change our standards and bring them into line with European standards and generally meet the criteria for entering Europe, then the question may arise of Armenia making a choice,” he said. “Until then, when you have nothing to choose between, you still have work to do to improve your standards. Until that point, that choice does not exist.”

He added that improving Armenia’s own standards should not itself pose a problem from the EAEU’s perspective, arguing that higher standards in a member state could also benefit the bloc.

The comments come four days after Pashinyan told parliament that Armenia would probably begin the process of filing a formal EU membership application “in the near future.”

“To bring the issue of European Union membership to a nationwide referendum, Armenia must first submit a formal application to join the EU,” Pashinyan said on Monday. “This is something that requires extensive work, and we will probably begin this process in the near future.” 

Also read: Armenia to apply for EU membership ‘soon,’ says Pashinyan

Pashinyan said calls from Armenia’s EAEU partners had also influenced the decision. The leaders of the other four members of the bloc urged Yerevan in May to hold a referendum as soon as possible on whether Armenia should seek EU membership or remain in the EAEU. Pashinyan has argued that such a referendum would make little sense before Armenia applies and receives a response from Brussels.

Armenia adopted a law in 2025 launching a process of European integration, but has not formally applied for EU membership.

The government’s 2026-2031 program, presented last week, does not list EU membership itself as a five-year objective. Instead, it calls for “deepening the strategic partnership” with the EU, further sectoral integration and aligning Armenian standards with EU requirements under the 2025 law. Visa liberalization for Armenian citizens is listed among the government’s expected results.

The same program also commits Armenia to continued cooperation within the EAEU, including efforts to ensure the free movement of labor, services, goods and capital.

Also read: Russia no longer a ‘strategic ally’ in Armenia’s new government program