Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan considers inexpedient to hold a referendum for EU accession, but is confident that the people have European aspirations.
At a meeting of the “Armenian Democratic Forum”, which among others was attended by EU and US ambassadors, Nikol Pashinyan said:
“I have stated that Armenia is ready to be as close to the EU as the EU considers possible. If I thought that the people of Armenia do not share this idea, I would not have made such a statement.”
The Prime Minister also added:
“They tell us that we should hold a referendum to show that the people support the idea of becoming a member of the EU. I have myself said that Armenia is ready to be as close to the EU as the EU considers it possible. If we hold a referendum, we have to campaign. In that case people will ask us questions: how, when, does the EU want it or not? People will ask whether the EU is ready to accept us. I can’t give an answer to that question because there are processes going on inside the EU as well, which at the very least raise questions about the outcome of the election.”
He said he would like to see “institutional democracy” in Armenia and the country has political will left to continue democratic reforms. The Armenian politician emphasised:
“My conviction, based on six years of experience, is that all the changes that have been possible in the republic, including in the sphere of democracy and human rights, have been realised only thanks to political will.”
At the same time, he noted that if Armenian citizens want a change of power – they will do it.
Pashinyan declared in May Armenia’s readiness to join the EU in 2024.
Riots against Pashinyan
The largest protest movement in the years of Nikol Pashinyan’s rule erupted in Armenia in April-June. The occasion was the delimitation and demarcation of the border with Azerbaijan in the north-east of the country, as a result of which Yerevan had to abandon four villages in the Tavush region. The protesters demanded Pashinyan’s resignation as Prime Minister.
