Overchuk: Armenia's accession to EU contradicts EEU norms

YEREVAN, June 27. /ARKA/. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk plans to sign a letter to Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan to state that Armenia's actions to join the EU contradict the norms of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), of which Armenia is a member.

“We will consider the application of appropriate measures,” Overchuk told reporters on Friday, according to Interfax.

He said that Armenia's simultaneous membership in the EU and the EEU is impossible, but Russia will respect the country's choice.

"The Armenian parliament has passed a law declaring its desire to join the European Union. We are closely monitoring developments in Armenia in this regard. We will always respect the choice of the Armenian people, but we understand, as confirmed by Nikol Pashinyan, that Armenia's simultaneous membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and the EU is impossible," Overchuk said.

He noted that Russia is monitoring the processes taking place within the framework of Armenia's rapprochement with the EU.

“We note that the regulatory framework of the Republic of Armenia includes regulatory acts that simplify certain rules for the certification of food products from countries that are not members of the Eurasian Economic Union,” the deputy prime minister said.

“This means that goods that do not meet our requirements may enter the internal market of the Eurasian Economic Union. We are submitting this issue for consideration by the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission,” he added.

The law on the start of the process of Armenia's accession to the EU was adopted in Armenia this spring, and the president signed it on April 4. However, Armenian officials have repeatedly stated that the government's agenda does not include withdrawal from the Eurasian Economic Union. -0-