Armenia’s parliament voted to approve a law initiating the country’s process of joining the European Union, marking a significant step in its shift toward closer ties with Europe, Armenian news outlet News.am reported on March 26.
The bill, titled “On the Start of the Process of the Republic of Armenia’s Accession to the European Union,” passed in its second and final reading.
It was introduced by the “Platform of Democratic Forces,” a coalition of four non-parliamentary parties and several civil initiatives, which managed to collect over 50,000 signatures in support of the measure.
In early January 2025, Armenia’s government gave its approval to the bill, sending it to parliament for consideration.
At the time, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan clarified that passing the legislation “does not mean Armenia will become an EU member in the literal sense,” emphasizing that any final decision on the country’s accession “can only be made through a referendum.”
Earlier, Armenia’s National Security Service announced the discovery of a conspiracy to “usurp power through prior collusion,” involving individuals who were allegedly trained in Russia.
According to the Armenian intelligence agency, the plotters sought to seize control of the Armenian government and were promised approximately $2,860 per month for their efforts throughout 2024. The conspirators reportedly recruited Armenian citizens and former residents of Nagorno-Karabakh under the pretext of “three-month training” in Russia and “familiarization with new types of heavy weapons,” followed by combat duty upon their return to Armenia.
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Ivan Khomenko")
