Pashinyan: Armenia's achievement of European standards is more important than EU membership itself
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that even full compliance with European standards does not guarantee the country's accession to the European Union. Speaking at a democracy forum in Yerevan, he emphasized that the adoption of the law on rapprochement with the EU is an important step towards strengthening democracy, but the government's main goal is to raise standards to European levels in all areas, which is more important than membership itself.
In April, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan approved a law on the country's intent to join the EU, although no membership offers had been received. Earlier, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan noted that the law is not an application for accession, but rather serves to deepen relations with Europe.
Later, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk stated that Russia views the discussion of this bill as a step toward Armenia's withdrawal from the EAEU and will adjust its economic policy towards the republic.
