{"id":2112968,"date":"2026-08-25T08:41:45","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T05:41:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2112968"},"modified":"2026-08-25T08:41:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T05:41:45","slug":"armenia-announces-historic-intention-to-apply-for-eu-membership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2112968","title":{"rendered":"Armenia announces historic intention to apply for EU membership"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/76\/01\/1200x675_cmsv2_e193cf4d-854b-5df4-a0b4-df50095695b2-9887601.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2920818-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2920818\" data-cid=\"9890327\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920818-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" 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class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | August 26th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          News<\/p>\n<p>                          World<\/p>\n<p>                          Armenia<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Armenia announces historic intention to apply for EU membership<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/76\/01\/1536x864_cmsv2_e193cf4d-854b-5df4-a0b4-df50095695b2-9887601.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"FILE: Supporters of Nikol Pashinian wave an Armenian flag during a demonstration in Republic Square in Yerevan on Wednesday, 2 May 2018\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              FILE: Supporters of Nikol Pashinian wave an Armenian flag during a demonstration in Republic Square in Yerevan on Wednesday, 2 May 2018<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspPeter Barabas&amp;nbsp&amp;&amp;nbspAleksandar Brezar\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1787647305\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-08-25 10:41:45 +02:00\">25\/08\/2026 &#8211; 10:41 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"2026-08-26 10:30:38 +02:00\">26\/08\/2026 &#8211; 10:30 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center 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                     Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Armenia\u2019s Pashinyan laid out Yerevan&#8217;s decision to formally apply for EU membership \u201cin the near future\u201d and to call for a national referendum, challenging Russia\u2019s regional influence and setting the stage for a historic geopolitical shift.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told the country\u2019s lawmakers on Monday that Armenia would begin preparing to apply for EU membership, in a historic geopolitical shift for a country formerly in Russia\u2019s orbit and for the South Caucasus as a whole. <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In a speech to parliament and the nation, Pashinyan said Armenia would decide its future through a referendum only after formally applying to join the EU, with a timeframe he described as \u201cin the near future\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>In a calculated set of political moves, the Armenian premier said his government would wait for Brussels&#8217; answer to its application, then discuss the roadmap for EU accession negotiations, and only then put EU membership to a national referendum. <\/p>\n<p>Currently a member of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), Armenia was given an ultimatum a few months ago from alliance members to choose between continuing its membership or taking its own path toward the EU through a national referendum.<\/p>\n<p>At the time, Pashinyan said it was premature to make such a decision, in the midst of a massive Russian onslaught of economic restrictions on the former Soviet state for daring to move out of its influence, with Russian president Vladimir Putin threatening Yerevan directly with a \u201cUkrainian scenario,\u201d as EU and CSTO membership would be incompatible in the Kremlin\u2019s view. <\/p>\n<p>But in his groundbreaking speech on Monday, Pashinyan said, \u201cI would be very glad if the organisation decided to remove the Republic of Armenia from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation,\u201d adding that \u201cat least that would free us from the dilemma of whether or not to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>However, Pashinyan made it clear that Armenia would remain in the CSTO for the time being, until the choice between the Russia-led alliance and the EU \u201cbecomes unavoidable\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;For two centuries, Armenian-Russian relations have been built on the foundation and understanding that Russia is the guarantor of the security of the Armenian people and the Armenian state,\u201d Pashinyan said, describing the current trajectory of his view on Russia\u2019s role in Armenia\u2019s future. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe developments of 2021, 2022 and 2023 showed that, due to its own security challenges, the Russian Federation can at times face significant limitations in its ability to perform this role,\u201d he added in reference to Armenia\u2019s wars with Azerbaijan over Karabakh, which since then ended with a historic peace process between the two former rivals.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is where we once again came face to face with the fact that we have failed to learn the lessons of our history,&#8221; the Armenian prime minister said of his vision of Russia\u2019s role in Armenia\u2019s future \u2014 a statement which he has repeated several times, pointing at the Kremlin for giving up on Armenia during its last confrontation with Azerbaijan. <\/p>\n<p>After signing the peace process in August 2025, Armenia and Azerbaijan embarked on a future of economic cooperation and stability that the two former foes are forging ahead together on their own, with significant EU and US participation.<\/p>\n<p>Armenia\u2019s economy still relies on Russian energy and infrastructure, but in another surprise move on Monday, Pashinyan asked Moscow to give up its monopoly concession of Armenian railways which runs until 2038 so that Yerevan can integrate its rail into international networks, with either Kazakhstan or the UAE as possible investors.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Armenia and Azerbaijan agree landmark internet deal as peace process continues<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Von der Leyen unveils major EU support initiatives in strategic trip to Armenia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Russia responded swiftly to Pashinyan\u2019s historic statements, with the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announcing that Armenia\u2019s alignment with EU standards may trigger what he called \u201cdeep trade contradictions that will primarily harm Armenia.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As for its departure from the CSTO, \u201cif Yerevan no longer needs membership in such an important organisation for ensuring regional security due to its national interests, it is free to make the corresponding decision and leave this organisation,\u201d Peskov said, signalling that the Kremlin was setting the stage for a turbulent path ahead with its former ally.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Armenia detains former President Kocharyan on corruption charges<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Von der Leyen unveils major EU support initiatives in strategic trip to Armenia<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Von der Leyen to visit Pashinyan in Yerevan to build on Armenia\u2019s pro-EU vote<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Russia<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Armenia<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Union<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Nikol Pashinyan<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2920818-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920818\" data-cid=\"9890327\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920818-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/03\/27\/320x180_cmsv2_154aa67b-ab1f-5a96-a8ef-b75e75a10a3c-9890327.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Mark Carney is Prime Minister of Canada since March 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Carney to address European Parliament as Canada pivots away from Trump<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article 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data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920767-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/00\/61\/320x180_cmsv2_160079a4-6208-5f15-8386-efeca196301f-9890061.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Adam Mosseri, CEO of Instagram, arrives in court to testify in a landmark social media case that seeks to hold tech companies responsible for harms to children.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Meta agrees to pay $17bn in landmark US child-safety settlement deal<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2920528-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920528\" 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class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920818-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920818\" data-cid=\"9890327\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920818-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/03\/27\/320x180_cmsv2_154aa67b-ab1f-5a96-a8ef-b75e75a10a3c-9890327.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Mark Carney is Prime Minister of Canada since March 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Carney to address European Parliament as Canada pivots away from Trump<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920721-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920721\" data-cid=\"9889722\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920721-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/97\/22\/320x180_cmsv2_2d26d57e-e0cd-5a5b-966d-3760a4148b4d-9889722.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - CIA Director John Ratcliffe listens during a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, March 26, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Why did the CIA director fly to Moscow: Ukraine, NATO or Iran?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920661-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920661\" data-cid=\"9889300\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920661-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/93\/00\/320x180_cmsv2_4ab7069e-3355-5f9d-9901-008faad1bd69-9889300.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks about Canada&apos;s response to new US tariffs during a news conference in Ottawa..\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Canada wants to get closer to the EU &#8211; but how far can it go?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920795-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920795\" data-cid=\"9890268\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920795-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/02\/68\/320x180_cmsv2_97249a5d-b296-5373-8ec6-8c8a4ea89d0d-9890268.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, Sunday Aug. 23, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    UEFA expected to cancel planned boycott of FIFA tournaments<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920767-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920767\" data-cid=\"9890061\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920767-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/00\/61\/320x180_cmsv2_160079a4-6208-5f15-8386-efeca196301f-9890061.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Adam Mosseri, CEO of Instagram, arrives in court to testify in a landmark social media case that seeks to hold tech companies responsible for harms to children.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Meta agrees to pay $17bn in landmark US child-safety settlement deal<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920528-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920528\" data-cid=\"9888725\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    French man detained in Italy after three Akeron missiles found in van<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920328-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920328\" data-cid=\"9887542\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Conservatives, liberals call to freeze EU cash for Romania over mayor<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920388-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920388\" data-cid=\"9888919\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Row over weight of half a loaf leaves German baker with \u20ac15,000 bill<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920346-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920346\" data-cid=\"9888068\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Drones and ships running blind as GPS malfunctions across Poland<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920497-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920497\" data-cid=\"9888498\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    306 people infected with salmonella in Belgium in egg-linked outbreak<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told the country\u2019s lawmakers on Monday that Armenia would begin preparing to apply for EU membership, in a historic geopolitical shift for a country formerly in Russia\u2019s orbit and for the South Caucasus as a whole.In a speech to parliament and the nation, Pashinyan said Armenia would decide its future through a referendum only after formally applying to join the EU, with a timeframe he described as \u201cin the near future\u201d.In a calculated set of political moves, the Armenian premier said his government would wait for Brussels&#8217; answer to its application, then discuss the roadmap for EU accession negotiations, and only then put EU membership to a national referendum.Currently a member of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), Armenia was given an ultimatum a few months ago from alliance members to choose between continuing its membership or taking its own path toward the EU through a national referendum.At the time, Pashinyan said it was premature to make such a decision, in the midst of a massive Russian onslaught of economic restrictions on the former Soviet state for daring to move out of its influence, with Russian president Vladimir Putin threatening Yerevan directly with a \u201cUkrainian scenario,\u201d as EU and CSTO membership would be incompatible in the Kremlin\u2019s view.But in his groundbreaking speech on Monday, Pashinyan said, \u201cI would be very glad if the organisation decided to remove the Republic of Armenia from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation,\u201d adding that \u201cat least that would free us from the dilemma of whether or not to leave.\u201dHowever, Pashinyan made it clear that Armenia would remain in the CSTO for the time being, until the choice between the Russia-led alliance and the EU \u201cbecomes unavoidable\u201d.&#8221;For two centuries, Armenian-Russian relations have been built on the foundation and understanding that Russia is the guarantor of the security of the Armenian people and the Armenian state,\u201d Pashinyan said, describing the current trajectory of his view on Russia\u2019s role in Armenia\u2019s future.\u201cThe developments of 2021, 2022 and 2023 showed that, due to its own security challenges, the Russian Federation can at times face significant limitations in its ability to perform this role,\u201d he added in reference to Armenia\u2019s wars with Azerbaijan over Karabakh, which since then ended with a historic peace process between the two former rivals.\u201cThis is where we once again came face to face with the fact that we have failed to learn the lessons of our history,&#8221; the Armenian prime minister said of his vision of Russia\u2019s role in Armenia\u2019s future \u2014 a statement which he has repeated several times, pointing at the Kremlin for giving up on Armenia during its last confrontation with Azerbaijan.After signing the peace process in August 2025, Armenia and Azerbaijan embarked on a future of economic cooperation and stability that the two former foes are forging ahead together on their own, with significant EU and US participation.Armenia\u2019s economy still relies on Russian energy and infrastructure, but in another surprise move on Monday, Pashinyan asked Moscow to give up its monopoly concession of Armenian railways which runs until 2038 so that Yerevan can integrate its rail into international networks, with either Kazakhstan or the UAE as possible investors.Russia responded swiftly to Pashinyan\u2019s historic statements, with the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announcing that Armenia\u2019s alignment with EU standards may trigger what he called \u201cdeep trade contradictions that will primarily harm Armenia.\u201dAs for its departure from the CSTO, \u201cif Yerevan no longer needs membership in such an important organisation for ensuring regional security due to its national interests, it is free to make the corresponding decision and leave this organisation,\u201d Peskov said, signalling that the Kremlin was setting the stage for a turbulent path ahead with its former ally.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/08\/25\/armenia-announces-historic-intention-to-apply-for-eu-membership&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/76\/01\/1200x675_cmsv2_e193cf4d-854b-5df4-a0b4-df50095695b2-9887601.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Carney to address European Parliament as Canada pivots away from Trump Culture news Tim Curry, legendary star of \u2018The Rocky Horror Picture Show\u2019 and &#8216;It&#8217;, dies aged 80 Sport UEFA expected to cancel planned boycott of FIFA tournaments Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | August 26th, 2026 \u2013 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2112968","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2112968","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2112968"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2112968\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2112968"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2112968"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2112968"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}