Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has described EuropeanUnion membership as a question for the future, emphasizing that Armenia and the EU are deepening cooperation across multiple areas without having settled whether accession will be the ultimate objective.

Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum on October 13, Mirzoyan noted that serious public debate about EU membership in Armenia had only recently begun, despite parliament adopting a law initiating the accession process in spring 2025. During a panel discussion entitled “Half-Baked or Step-by-Step? Rethinking EU Enlargement,” Mirzoyan was asked where Armenia’s journey towards Europewould ultimately lead.He responded that neither Armenia northe EU or its member states could currently provide a definitive answer. “At some point in the future, we can sit down together and discuss whether we should ‘get married’,” he remarked, suggesting that the immediate priority was to continue developing closer relations rather than predetermine the outcome.

Mirzoyan discussed that Armenia’s relationship with the EU had already reached an unprecedented depth, extending beyond political dialogue into trade, security and foreign policy. He pointed to the ongoing visa liberalization dialogue, the EU Monitoring Mission along Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan, and a second temporary mission intended to help address hybrid threats. According to Mirzoyan, these arrangements had been extended to Armeniadespite its statusas a non-candidate country, illustrating the breadth of the partnership beyond the formal accession process.

The minister also highlighted the political dimension of EU enlargement, saying that meeting technical requirements does not necessarily guarantee membership. Referring to Montenegro’s progress towards accession, he argued that the final decision ultimately remains political and depends on the willingness of EU member states. This consideration, he indicated, was important for Armenia as it assesses its own path and the political steps needed to deepen integration. Mirzoyan acknowledged that the law adopted in spring 2025 had initiated the accession process and that comprehensive public deliberations about the implications of membership had only recently begun.

The minister also addressed the broader geopolitical context, stating that relations with neighbouring countries and major powers would influence Armenia’s European trajectory. According to Mirzoyan, improving relations with its neighbours was a goal in its own right, independent of European integration, although unresolved conflicts could complicate eventual EU membership. Regarding Russia, he talked about Armenia’s historically close ties with Moscow and that any potential reaction to Armenia’s European ambitions would need to be managed carefully. He then added that Yerevan had no interest in creating new adversaries or harming third parties.

Mirzoyan further argued that US and EU interests in the South Caucasus were complementary rather than contradictory. Mirzoyan discussed international efforts to reopen transport and transit routes across the region, underscoring that improved connectivity could benefit European countries by strengthening links between Europe and Asia. The broader regional environment, he concluded, offers opportunities for cooperation among major powers despite their differences elsewhere.