Europe supports Armenia's process of joining the EU.
Revolving around Armenia's goal of joining the European Union (EU), the bloc has strongly voiced its support for Yerevan's determination. This move comes as Russia proposes reshaping their economic partnership.
According to RIA Novosti on May 11, the European Union is committed to supporting Armenia, a country eager to become a full member of the bloc. This was affirmed by EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, who made the comment in response to the latest developments concerning Armenia's membership in the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Speaking in Brussels, Ms. Kos said: "The recent summits have clearly outlined the path Armenia wants to take. Europe will certainly support them."
However, Armenia's desire to join the EU faces geopolitical obstacles. Last weekend, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed discussing the plan at the upcoming EAEU summit.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has repeatedly affirmed his desire to become a member of the EU. In return, Yerevan would need to strive to meet the bloc's stringent standards. During their meeting on April 1st, Putin emphasized a core fact: simultaneously participating in a customs union with both the EU and the EAEU is economically impossible.
The Russian president suggested that, in order to demonstrate responsibility to its people and to Russia – its largest current economic partner – Armenia should hold a referendum on the direction of cooperation with the EU.
Based on those results, Moscow will make appropriate decisions. Russia is ready to pursue a path of "gentle, civilized, and mutually beneficial separation" if that is Armenia's final choice.
Besides Armenia, the EU's expansion process is also seeing new developments with Ukraine. The bloc may begin direct negotiations with Kyiv before the end of June.
""Today, I will urge the ministers. We can negotiate the first set of issues just before the Republic of Cyprus finishes its term as President of the EU Council. The remaining five sets of issues could be opened in July," Marta Kos said ahead of the EU foreign ministers' meeting.
However, according to The Economist, many European countries remain skeptical about Ukraine's membership due to concerns about corruption. EU Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius also stated that not all member states want Ukraine to join the organization.
In reality, achieving candidate status is just the beginning of a very long journey. Türkiye has held this status since 1999. North Macedonia has waited since 2005, Montenegro since 2010, and Serbia since 2012. The most recent country to join the EU was Croatia in 2013, and that process also took a decade.
