At its regular session on September 11, Armenia's Central Electoral Commission (CEC) approved the launch of a signature collection campaign to hold a referendum on the country's accession to the European Union.
The commission approved a request from 51 citizens to form an initiative group to propose the draft law "On the initiation of the process of Armenia's accession to the European Union" through a civil initiative.
Artak Zeynalyan, a representative of the pro-European "Republic" party, was appointed as the authorized representative of the initiative group. CEC Chairman Vahagn Hovakimyan confirmed that the initiative group had submitted all the necessary documents required by the Law on Referendums.
The collection of signatures needed to bring the draft law to a referendum will take place within 60 days following the registration of the initiative group. The signature collection period is set from September 16 to November 14, 2024.
The CEC also approved the format of identification cards for members of the civil initiative and its authorized representative.
The referendum initiative was proposed by three political parties: the European Party of Armenia, the "Republic" party, and the "For the Republic" party.
Earlier, BMG reported that on Monday, September 9, Armenia and the EU announced the start of a dialogue on visa liberalization. The ultimate goal of this dialogue is to lift visa requirements for Armenian citizens on short-term trips to the EU. However, this will only happen after significant reforms are implemented by Armenian authorities in key areas.
These reforms include securing travel documents, strengthening border control, managing migration and asylum, fighting corruption, and ensuring the protection of fundamental rights related to freedom of movement.
Meanwhile, Armenian authorities have responded differently to the initiative of holding a referendum on joining the EU.
Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan supported the calls, considering a referendum feasible in the near future and suggesting that the vote's outcome would be positive. However, Nikol Pashinyan, who had previously expressed Yerevan's desire to be as close to the European Union as the EU deems possible, unexpectedly spoke out against the plebiscite. He noted that there is no clear understanding yet of whether the EU is ready to accept Armenia into its ranks.
