It is an indisputable and obvious fact that the European integration of Armenia is a bubble. A naïve reader may ask why Pashinyan became the main supporter of that “fairy tale”.

There are 3 main reasons behind Nikol’s “Westernism”:

1. His real policy completely coincides with the pan-Turkish project, which is supported not only by Turkey, but also by Great Britain. These two actors are not members of the EU, and Pashinyan cannot tell the truth to the Armenian society. Therefore, by creating the geopolitical mirage of Europe, he is covering the reality with smoke.

2. “European integration” is a sweet fairy tale that could be easily sold to Armenian voters during the hot pre-election stage. Although for many years the main actor of that approach is not the KP, but its satellites. Pashinyan plagiarized the topic from his allies, because the “peace” donut he synthesized was not selling well. This also explains the fact that none of the Nikola satellites, who were supporters of EU integration, entered the parliament.

3. In order to ensure his own reproduction at any cost, including through highly anti-democratic and violent means, Pashinyan strengthened his back in the West in advance, presenting himself as “свой парень” and preemptively closing the eyes, ears and mouth of the self-proclaimed guardians of “European values”. This was also facilitated by the ongoing operation to portray the main opposition forces as “pro-Russian”.

What should be done if Armenia really had a European perspective? Let me list just a few steps.

• Conduct a large-scale and real audit of the implementation of the Armenia-EU EPA, CEPA, publish that report, dismiss those sector officials who have achieved below 75% performance.

• Release all political prisoners in the country and stop the existing persecutions on political grounds.

• An official document with legal weight from Brussels, for example, Official Opinion of the European Union or higher, by which instead of welcoming the empty law adopted by the RA NA, it is clearly established the realism of Armenia’s membership in case of compliance with EU standards.

• To announce in advance which of the penultimate of the mandatory Copenhagen standards for EU membership, the conditions set by individual member states (for example, Bulgaria’s current condition-obstacle to North Macedonia) will wait, or rather, threaten Armenia.

• What will the last of those criteria, the mandatory condition formulated separately by the EU, be like for Armenia? For example, could it be the removal of the Russian military base from Armenia?

• Creation of the Ministry of European Integration and Reforms by the government in the new structure.

• The creation of a multi-billion instrument by official Brussels to support Armenia’s reforms, following the example of Moldova’s Growth and Resilience Facility.

Of course, this list is not exhaustive and can be expanded. Undoubtedly, all this needs a political combination, for example, a referendum on the relevant issue, an official application for EU membership, the granting of the EU candidate-member status. Not to mention that the recent disgraceful parliamentary elections and their devastating effect on Pashinyan’s legitimacy, as well as possible post-election decisions, will have an impact on the presented list.

And with all this, will the official Brussels or Yerevan resort to the measures I have listed to at least create the illusion of seriousness for the “European integration” narrative? I’m sure NO.

ARMEN ASHOTIAN

Vice President of RPA

“Vardashen” Prison

23.06.2026

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