The Armenian parliament has passed a landmark law paving the way for the country’s accession to the European Union.
The bill, titled On the Beginning of the Process of the Republic of Armenia’s Accession to the European Union, was approved by 64 MPs, all from the ruling Civil Agreement faction.
However, the opposition parties were divided. The opposition Armenia faction chose not to participate in the vote, while another opposition group, I Have Honour, voted against the proposal.
This move marks a significant step in Armenia’s foreign policy, though it has drawn a sharp response from Russia. Moscow has warned that Armenia’s push to join the EU could jeopardize its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), a Russian-led customs bloc.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan responded to the criticism, saying that Armenia was open to being as close to the EU as possible, depending on the EU’s willingness.
