Armenia rejects the referendum requested by Putin. Prime Minister Pașinian: “It would be illogical”
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian rejected on Monday Russian President Vladimir Putin's call to organize a referendum on Armenia's accession to the European Union, amid Moscow's pressure a week before the legislative elections, reports AFP, taken by Agerpres.
Vladimir Putin last week called on Yerevan to hold a referendum “as soon as possible”, saying it was impossible for Armenia to reconcile EU membership with remaining in the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).
In a video address broadcast on Facebook, Nikol Pashinian said that “it would be illogical to organize a referendum” while the choice between the two blocs “will not be inevitable, as long as Armenia has not officially applied for EU membership or is not ready to obtain the status of a candidate country.”
These statements come a week before the elections in Armenia, which have a test value for the prime minister, who cultivates relations both with Russia and the West.
Putin invokes the “Ukrainian scenario”
Moscow summoned its ambassador from Armenia on Saturday for “consultations” on strengthening ties between Yerevan and the EU. On the eve, Vladimir Putin had declared that the “Ukrainian scenario” had started when Kiev tried to join the EU.
According to Nikol Pashinian, Armenian-Russian relations are currently in a stage of transformation. “We are on the way to build new relations with Russia and I am convinced that we will succeed, especially because our relations with Russia are open and honest,” he declared.
The Kremlin indicated on Monday that Vladimir Putin and Nikol Pashinian had a telephone conversation, saying only that the two leaders discussed last week's EEU summit in Kazakhstan.
In May, Armenia hosted a European summit, with the EU hailing a “leap forward” in its relations with the country.
Armenia and Russia, which share centuries of history, are technically allies. But Yerevan reproaches Moscow for not helping it in the war with Azerbaijan in 2023 and requests support from the EU and the US.
Armenia has suspended its participation in a regional security pact with Russia. Last year, Armenia adopted a law officially declaring its intention to apply for EU membership, continuing a partnership started in 2017.
