Yerevan warned: EAEU should not turn into a second CSTO

Armenia is interested in the uninterrupted operation of the mechanisms of the Eurasian Economic Union.

This was stated by Armenian Economy Minister Gevork Papoyan, commenting on the telephone conversation between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

It was previously reported that problems that arose in Armenian-Russian economic relations became the subject of a telephone conversation between Pashinyan and Putin.

Pashinyan emphasized that restrictions on the export of goods of Armenian origin to the Russian market contradict the Armenian-Russian legal framework and the norms of the Eurasian Economic Union, and asked to take measures to resolve these problems.

According to the Armenian minister, EAEU legislation assumes that all participating countries are obliged to ensure the unhindered movement of goods, services, and labor.

"If this is not ensured, then the principles of the EAEU and legislation do not work. We, as a full member of the EAEU, are concerned about the fate of the organization, and want it to work, and not be like the CSTO," he noted.

Consequently, when Yerevan discusses this issue with the Russian side, it is, first of all, a conversation about the operation of the EAEU principles.

"Non-working principles are a problem not only for Armenia. Therefore, we treat this organization as our organization, and cannot take a neutral or passive position regarding any non-working mechanism," the minister said.

Speaking about quality, Papoyan noted that the products that are sold in the United Arab Emirates, on the European Union market, in China, cannot fail to be sold in Russia.

On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at a press conference that Yerevan should decide as soon as possible on the issue of participation in the EU or the EAEU, allowing for the possibility of an "intelligent divorce." According to him, a referendum could be held on this issue.

In turn, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated to journalists on May 11 that Armenia remains a full member of the EAEU, and holding a referendum is possible only if an "objective necessity" arises. After this, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk stated that some work is being done in Armenia to transition to EU standards, and if the country begins to amend technical regulations, then "this will already create certain threats to the EAEU."

At the EAEU summit held on May 29 in Astana, the leaders of the member countries of this association issued a joint statement, which, in particular, spoke about the need to hold a referendum in Armenia as soon as possible on joining the EU or remaining in the EAEU. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated following the EAEU summit in Astana that Armenia could lose 14% of its GDP upon exiting the EAEU.

According to statistical data, Armenia will lose almost 40% of its trade turnover in case of exit from the Eurasian Economic Union.

Source: Sputnik Armenia