EAEU or EU? Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry urged Yerevan to analyze economic prospects
YEREVAN, April 2. /ARКА/. Armenia is unlikely to combine membership in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the CSTO with membership in the EU, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry Rodion Miroshnik told reporters, commenting on the bill adopted by the Armenian parliament
On March 26, 2025, the National Assembly of Armenia approved a bill on the beginning of the country's accession to the EU
“Therefore, now, again, you need to analyze for yourself the approaches on the basis of which you make certain decisions. Therefore, analyze to what extent Armenia is economically interested in hypothetical movements towards the European Union, what are the economic prospects in this sense,” Miroshnik said.
He suggested assessing which markets Armenia is currently present in and what income the country receives from this cooperation. “It is unlikely that you will be able to sit on two chairs,” Miroshnik said.
However, according to him, it is the citizens of Armenia who should evaluate this step. “To what extent does this correspond to your interests, how real are the prospects for Armenia’s accession (to the EU - ed.). Let’s put it this way - Russia has always emphasized, and we are not going to interfere in the internal affairs of states, including Armenia. That is, this is an independent decision,” Miroshnik said.
Figures for the EAEU and the EU
According to the latest data from Armstat, in 2024, Armenia’s trade turnover with the EAEU increased by 54%, exceeding $12.7 billion, while with the EU, on the contrary, it decreased by 11.7% to $2.34 billion. Armenia’s largest partner in the EAEU is Russia (trade volume for January-December - $12.4 billion, annual growth - 56.5%), and its partner in the EU is Germany (trade volume - $486.15 million, decline - 23.7%).
About Armenia and the EAEU
Earlier, the Prime Minister of Armenia stated that Armenia does not plan to sever economic ties and does not set itself the task of reducing trade turnover with the EAEU and Russia. According to him, Armenia is on the path of economic diversification and wants to increase trade turnover with the European Union as well.-0-
