The presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan issued a joint statement calling on Armenia to make a decision between closer ties with the European Union and continued participation in the EAEU.
The document, adopted at the EAEU summit in Astana on May 29 and published on the Kremlin’s website, states that the potential preparation for Armenia’s accession to the EU could create “serious risks to the economic security” of the Eurasian Economic Union.
The EAEU countries expect that by December a special report will be prepared on the possible consequences for Armenia in the event of its suspension from the Union.
Earlier, the Armenian parliament adopted a law to initiate the process of the country’s accession to the European Union. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated at that time that the document on starting euro-integration “does not mean Armenia’s membership in the European Union in the direct sense of the word,” emphasizing that a decision on this matter could only be made through a referendum, RBC reminds.
Pashinyan has repeatedly emphasized that the question of Armenia’s exit from the EAEU is not being considered. According to him, Yerevan does not intend to harm relations with Moscow, but will not place Russian interests above national ones.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in turn, urged Yerevan to decide between the two integration associations, noting that in the case of a course towards the EU, a “soft and intelligent divorce” is possible. The Kremlin believes that as Armenia moves closer to the EU, it may face contradictions between European norms and the rules of the EAEU.
The Russian side also warned of a possible suspension or denunciation of the agreement on the supply of natural gas and petroleum products to Armenia in the event of a continued course towards EU accession. Against this backdrop, restrictions were imposed on the supply of a number of goods from Armenia, including agricultural products, flowers, and alcohol.
