Pashinyan rules out repeat of overnight halt to Armenia’s EU rapprochement

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has ruled out the possibility of a repeat of the 2013 scenario, when Armenia abruptly abandoned its rapprochement with the European Union amid Russian pressure.

Pashinyan addressed the issue during a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, responding to a journalist’s question on whether he could rule out a repeat of the events of 2013.

In September 2013, then-President Serzh Sargsyan announced after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow that Armenia intended to join the Customs Union, which later became the Eurasian Economic Union. The announcement came after Armenia had concluded negotiations on an Association Agreement with the European Union, which the sides had planned to sign at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius in November 2013. The Association Agreement was ultimately not signed, and Armenia and the EU later signed the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement instead.

“Let me first address the question of whether I rule out a repeat of the 2013 situation, when Armenia, in one night or two, abandoned the agreed process of signing the Association Agreement with the European Union and decided instead to move towards the Eurasian Economic Union or the Customs Union. My answer is short and clear: yes, I rule it out. It is not possible, especially now that the people of the Republic of Armenia have clearly expressed their support for the policies pursued by the Republic of Armenia, particularly its balanced and balancing foreign policy.

At the same time, as we have repeatedly stated, we have never sought, do not seek and will not seek to create a crisis in Armenia’s relations with Russia. We act in accordance with our country’s interests. Naturally, we do not disregard the interests of any of our international partners, but neither can we place the interests of any other partner above those of the Republic of Armenia. I believe this is a logical approach for any country,” the prime minister said. 

Pashinyan also commented on his July 1 telephone conversation with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

 Asked what issues had been discussed during the call, Pashinyan replied:

“The scope of the discussion was reflected in the official statement. We agreed that we would hold more detailed discussions in the near future.” 

On July 1, the Armenian Prime Minister’s Office said Pashinyan and Mishustin had discussed items on the Armenia-Russia bilateral agenda, including cooperation in the trade and economic, scientific and technological, and cultural and humanitarian fields.