Isabel Van Brugen is a Newsweek journalist founded in Kuala Lumpur. Isabel joined Newsweek in 2021 and in the past had worked with Media adding Daily Express, Times, Harper’s Bazaar, and Grazia. She holds a master’s degree in newspaper journalism in the city, at the University of London, and a Russian language degree from Queen Mary, University of London. Languages: English, Russian
You can contact Isabel by sending an email to i. vanbrugen@newsweek. com or follow him at x @isabelvanbrugen
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
The Armenian approved the invoice on Thursday to release the country’s club procedure to the European Union, a resolution that will serve its neighbor, Russia.
Newsweek contacted Kremlin for observation email.
Armenia with Russia has deteriorated since President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The country has sought to distance itself from Moscow, while deepening with Europe.
In March 2024, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said that the country made plans to request EU members. Armenia is also taking flights from the Organization of Collective Security Treaties (CSTA), an organization of the post -oviet states considered as Moscow’s reaction to NATO.
Mirzoyan presented the bill on Thursday, that Armenia and the EU had evolved “quite extensive and dynamic” relations in recent years, Armenia News reported.
Armenia has gradually distanced itself from Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in March 2024 that his nation wished to freeze its participation in the CSTO, telling France 24 television that the pact had failed his country, and that it “has not fulfilled its objectives as far as Armenia is concerned, particularly in 2021 and 2022.” Formed in 2022, the military alliance also consists of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Pashinyan expressed his frustration that Putin had not provided good enough in Armenia’s clash with Azerbaijan about the disputed border region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Pashinyan said the draft law “means Armenia’s members to the European Union in the literal sense of the word,” as the resolution in his country’s club in the bloc would have to be established through a national referendum.
The prime minister said that before a referendum, Armenia will have to talk about a “roadmap” with the EU.
The Foreign Minister, Ararat Mirzoyan: “The invoice on the Armenie Club procedure was presented to be discussed in the National Assembly as a civic initiative, and now the government will have to explain its positioning”
“[Relations between Armenia and the EU] have been very rich and have covered various sectors. The EU has continuously expressed its forged policy for democracy in Armenia. The EU, in fact, participates in the security environment insurance around Armenia.
“The EU has also expressed its readiness to support the strengthening of Armenia’s economic resilience. Obviously, the EU has very rich democratic traditions, strong democratic institutions, a free competitive environment, a modern economy, and advanced science.
“You, Mr. Prime Minister, have also stated in the European Parliament that Armenia is ready to be as close to the EU as the EU considers it possible. We have also seen signs of this being possible. I mean the launch of visa liberalization and a number of other instruments that have been applied or are being discussed with the EU.
“Based on all this, we offer a positive response. Of course, we also have some suggestions, which basically fear legal techniques. “
Giorgi Koberidze, political analyst and professor at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs, on X, formerly Twitter: “The dynamics in the South Caucasus are changing rapidly: Armenia has approved the beginning of the country’s accession to the EU. Long considered an ally of Russia, Armenia has found that Russia is one of the least reliable partners.
“Rather than the progression of Armenia, Russia has asked its submission, installing pro-Russian governments with a pro-Russian program. Now, it all changes. “
The bill to begin the EU adhesion procedure will be sent to the Armenian Parliament for approval.
Isabel Van Brugen is a Newsweek journalist founded on Kuala Lumpur. The objective is to inform about the Russian-Ukraine War . isabel joined Newsweek in 2021 and in the past he had worked with the media adding the Daily Express, The Times, Harper’s Bazaar and Grazia and Grazia and Grazia. Master in Journalism of City, University of London and a B. A. in Russian at Queen Mary, University of London. Languages: English, Russian
You can contact Isabel by emailing i. vanbrugen@newsweek. com or follow him on x @isabelvanbrugen
Isabel van Brugen is a Newsweek Reporter based in Kuala Lumpur. Her focus is reporting on the Russia-Ukraine war. Isabel joined Newsweek in 2021 and had previously worked with news outlets including the Daily Express, The Times, Harper’s BAZAAR, and Grazia. She has an M.A. in Newspaper Journalism at City, University of London, and a B.A. in Russian language at Queen Mary, University of London. Languages: English, Russian
You can contact Isabel by sending an email to i. vanbrugen@newsweek. com or follow him at x @isabelvanbrugen