On January 9, during a government session, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discussed the draft law "On Initiating the Accession Process of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union" and emphasized the importance of understanding the essence and context of the issue.

Pashinyan recalled his speech in the European Parliament in fall 2023, where he expressed Armenia’s readiness to be as close to the EU as possible. The speech generated significant interest and led to unprecedented reactions from Armenian citizens. He also noted that on April 5, 2024, a trilateral Armenia-US-EU meeting took place, further raising Armenia’s engagement with the EU. Following this, a legislative initiative with 50,000 signatures was presented in accordance with the RA Constitution.

Pashinyan clarified the de jure position of the government, stating that while there were no objections to the law, it should not be misunderstood as Armenia's direct membership in the EU. He emphasized that membership could only be decided through a referendum, not by a law or government decision, as stipulated by the RA Constitution. He also stressed that if the law passed, it would require a discussion with the EU on a potential roadmap.

Furthermore, Pashinyan highlighted recent developments in Armenia-EU relations, such as the start of visa liberalization negotiations, a long-standing issue for Armenia, and Armenia’s inclusion in the European Peace Instrument, which he described as a significant political decision. While it may not provide immediate financial benefits, the decision is crucial in terms of political alignment.

In his remarks, Pashinyan stressed the importance of balancing Armenia’s sovereignty and independent foreign policy, underlining that the government could not oppose the legislative initiative presented by 50,000 citizens, as it aligned with the Cabinet’s goals. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan also supported the initiative, noting that aligning Armenia’s legislation with EU standards would facilitate a smoother and faster process when a referendum takes place, should Armenian citizens decide in favor.