Armenian FM says Yerevan will continue EU integration while rejecting “political divorce” with Russia

Armenia will continue deepening its ties with the European Union while maintaining constructive relations with Russia, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said during a joint press conference with visiting Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys in Yerevan. Responding to a journalist’s question about the recent Armenia–European Union summit and reactions from Moscow, Mirzoyan said the landmark meeting had been productive and marked a significant step in Armenia-EU relations.

“The Armenia–European Union summit, which I would like to stress was the first-ever meeting held in this format, was quite effective,” Mirzoyan said, noting that the sides adopted a comprehensive 35-point joint document outlining areas of cooperation, intentions to deepen ties, and concrete projects to be implemented jointly.

According to Mirzoyan, the European Union has consistently supported Armenia’s democratic development and will continue assisting the country’s integration process across multiple sectors. He stressed that Armenia’s positions and priorities had long been communicated clearly to European partners and member states, and that the summit did not represent a dramatic shift in policy.

“It is no secret that Armenia and the European Union are getting closer day by day,” Mirzoyan said, adding that the main driving force behind that process is the aspiration of the Armenian people. He referred to last year’s civic initiative supporting closer European integration, which eventually became law after being adopted by the National Assembly.

Asked about remarks coming from Russia following the summit, including suggestions by Russian President Donald Trump’s Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that Armenia would eventually have to choose its geopolitical orientation, and comments hinting at a “civilized divorce,” Mirzoyan dismissed such characterizations. “We are not preparing for a divorce with any of our partners,” he said. “Politics and diplomacy do not really recognize such divorces.”

Mirzoyan stressed that Armenia does not seek confrontation or tensions in relations with Russia and intends to continue developing mutually beneficial ties despite existing disagreements. “We are partners connected by numerous ties,” he said. “There are issues, of course, as in any relationship, but such issues should be resolved through constructive discussion.”

At the same time, Mirzoyan underlined that Armenia reserves the sovereign right to determine its own future and make independent foreign policy decisions. “We understand very well and we do not need Russia to tell us that membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and membership in the European Union are incompatible,” he said.

Mirzoyan acknowledged that Armenia would eventually face a strategic choice regarding its future orientation. However, he stressed that such a decision would be made by Armenia itself and at a time determined by Yerevan. “When the moment comes and a decision must be made on which family of countries we want to belong to, we will make that decision ourselves,” he said.

The Armenian foreign minister emphasized that Armenia remains committed to maintaining positive relations with all partners based on mutual respect and shared interests.