Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated on Monday that his government would soon begin the process of submitting an official application for European Union membership.

Speaking during the presentation of the government's 2026-2031 program to parliament in Yerevan, Pashinyan said the move would precede any national referendum on accession. He noted that Armenia must first file the application, receive a response from Brussels, and establish a roadmap before putting the question to voters.

The announcement follows a law adopted by Armenia's National Assembly in March 2025 that launched the country's EU integration process. Pashinyan emphasized that the formal application is necessary to provide concrete answers for public debate during a future referendum.

Pashinyan linked the timing partly to pressure from partners in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union. Leaders of the EAEU issued a joint statement in May calling for Armenia to hold a referendum on EU accession or continued EAEU membership.

Tensions with Russia have grown amid trade disputes, including restrictions on Armenian exports that Pashinyan described as a crisis for the EAEU. Armenia remains a member of the Russia-dominated Collective Security Treaty Organization but has sought closer ties with the West.

The European Commission responded positively to the announcement. A spokesman said Armenia is closer to the EU than ever before and noted ongoing cooperation in trade, connectivity, and other areas. Brussels stressed that any accession process must follow established procedures and meet the bloc's criteria.

No application has been submitted yet, and Armenia does not hold candidate status. The first EU-Armenia summit took place in Yerevan in May, and the EU has expanded market access for Armenian exports.

Pashinyan said the process would require extensive work and would proceed while heeding concerns from EAEU partners.