Pashinyan rules out EU membership referendum because he ‘knows’ Armenia’s European aspirations

Jul 1 () –

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Monday ruled out holding a referendum on EU membership because, as an “authorized official,” he is aware of the Armenian people’s European aspirations, in contrast to the “public discussion” on the matter he advocated a few months ago.

“I have announced from the European Union that Armenia is ready to be as close to the EU as the EU deems possible,” Pashinyan said during a forum held on Monday in Yerevan, the capital, which was also attended by ambassadors from EU countries and the United States.

“If I thought that the people of Armenia did not share this idea, I would not have made these statements,” said Pashinián, who has assured that they have already declared on several occasions their “political will at the highest level” to enter the EU.

“Holding a referendum to find out the opinion of the people? I am sorry, as an official authorized to represent the people of Armenia, I know the opinion of the people of Armenia,” Pashinyan concluded.

“If we hold a referendum, (…) people will ask us: how and when the EU wants. They will ask if the EU is willing to accept us. I cannot answer this question because processes are taking place within the EU, elections are being held, the results of which at least raise doubts,” he explained.

The head of the EU delegation in Armenia, Vasilis Maragos, has used his participation in the forum to highlight the reforms that the country has made in the areas of security and justice, as well as other advances in terms of democracy, reports the Armenian Times.

“We are ready to share the experience of EU states, as well as the experience of countries that are associated with the EU or want to become members of the EU. This is an experience that Armenia takes advantage of,” he said.

Maragos trusts that the support and investments from the European Union will serve to “establish security, peace and stability in this region”, as well as to “preserve the sovereignty and independence of Armenia”, a country with which they are willing , he stressed, to work to be increasingly “closer to Europe.”