Eurobserver: Armenia continues moving closer to Europe, at the risk of further damaging its relations with Russia

Armenia could soon take another step towards closer ties with the European Union, writes Eurobserver.
The ties between Armenia and Russia remain significant. A large Armenian diaspora lives in Russia, which is home to roughly as many Armenians as Armenia itself. Moscow also still has a military base in the country, and Armenia’s economy remains heavily dependent on Russia.

Last year, the Armenian parliament gave the green light to a potential application to join the EU. And this seems to have broad support among the population, where pro-European sentiment is relatively strong.
Submitting an application does not mean becoming a member of the European Union.

Armenia first has to officially submit its application. That is the step the prime minister has announced he wants to take.
The EU’s 27 member states would then have to decide whether or not to grant Armenia candidate status. If that status is confirmed, Yerevan plans to put the question to its population in a referendum.

Only if the result is positive could the lengthy accession process begin. And, as we know, that process can take years.

But this rapprochement also comes with risks. Moscow has already taken economic measures against Yerevan and could use Armenia’s dependence on Russian energy as a means of pressure.
Armenia is therefore facing a major strategic choice: continue moving closer to Europe, at the risk of further damaging its relations with Russia.