By Ani Avetisyan in Yerevan Armenia has formally started the process of joining the European Union (EU). A bill calling for the country to launch a bid to enter the 27-member bloc was approved by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government on January 9.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government officially announced that it will back a bid for Armenia’s membership in the European Union, prompting Moscow to threaten Armenia’s status in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union.

The Armenian government on Thursday introduced a bill to parliament that calls for the country to begin the process of joining the European Union. According to the Armenpress news agency, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that the government is committed to the law,

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stressed that even if the bill is passed, the accession process can start only if the Armenian people support it in a referendum

Armenia’s government backed kicking off the process for accession into the European Union, a move that could anger its traditional ally, Russia.

On Thursday, January 9, the Armenian government approved the draft law titled "On the Start of the Process of Armenia's Accession to the European Union," the news agency NEWS.am reports. "The draft law on the start of Armenia's EU membership process was submitted for discussion in the National Assembly as a civic initiative,