MOSCOW, August 11. /TASS/. Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin highlighted contradictions in Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statements about a referendum on Armenia’s accession to the European Union or continued membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

According to the deputy foreign minister, Article 205 of the Armenian Constitution provides that Armenia’s government must initiate any referendum on joining a supranational international organization. However, he added that during the 2025 debate on a law initiating the process of the republic’s accession to the EU, the Armenian side stated that, despite the Constitution, the adoption of this law does not require a referendum, as this document is merely a political declaration that has no legal significance. "We can hear now that the results of the election in Armenia in June allegedly indicate nationwide support for the pro-European course and further implementation of European rules and regulations in the country, so there is no need for a referendum," the deputy foreign minister told TASS.

"May I remind you that during his election campaign Pashinyan made diametrically opposite and contradictory statements from time to time. He sometimes admitted quite frankly that no one has invited Armenia to the EU so far and it may never join the bloc," he added. "A lot has been said, but that does not clarify the situation at all."

According to Galuzin, this is exactly why Russian, Belarusian, Kazakh and Kyrgyz leaders stated that it is necessary to ascertain the opinion of Armenians on this matter. "And that should happen not in abstract and theoretical terms (Do you want to join the EU?), but in concrete and practical ones. For example, are you ready to withdraw from the EAEU for a prospect - not so obvious - of joining the EU in the future? Because that would be the fairest way to put the question to Armenian citizens. And to other EAEU members as well," the diplomat noted.

Yerevan has recently announced its intention to pursue integration with the EU. On March 26, 2025, the Armenian parliament adopted a law launching the republic’s accession to the union. At the same time, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the country does not intend to withdraw from the EAEU and expects to combine its membership there with integration into the EU for as long as possible. Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that integration into the EU automatically entails the cessation of Armenia’s cooperation with the EAEU and the loss of all related preferences from which Yerevan has benefited during its membership in the union.

At an EAEU summit in Astana on May 29, the leaders of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan adopted a joint statement saying that they agreed that Armenia should hold a nationwide referendum on accession to the EU or continued membership in the EAEU.