Armenia declares no interest in NATO membership

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan announced that Yerevan is ready to engage with Brussels

Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan declared Yerevan’s readiness to engage with Brussels on Tuesday. 

Mirzoyan stressed that Armenia would reciprocate any positive overtures made by the European Union. 

“Armenia is equally prepared to draw closer to the EU, as much as the EU desires to foster proximity with Armenia,” he stated. 

Due to recent tensions with Russia, Armenia is in talks to acquire arms from France. Yerevan hopes this move will strengthen its relationship with the European Union.

Mirzoyan also addressed Armenia’s continued engagement with NATO, mentioning plans to bolster troop presence in Kosovo. However, he underscored that Armenia does not aspire to become a NATO member.

NATO not seen as alternative for CSTO

Experts view Armenia’s decision to abstain from seeking NATO membership as a gesture of reassurance toward Russia. Following the Second Karabakh War, during which Armenia’s expectations of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) support were unmet, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian hinted at the prospect of departing from the CSTO.

After Pashinian’s comments, it became clear that Armenia was looking into other security options, including the possibility of joining NATO.

Mirzoyan’s statements are interpreted as indicative of Armenia’s inclination toward Westernization while sidestepping NATO allegiance to mitigate Russia’s reaction.

Some analysts argue that Mirzoyan’s remarks reflect a calculated strategy, particularly given past instances where former Soviet nations like Georgia and Ukraine encountered Russian aggression when expressing NATO aspirations.