Armenia's status in the EAEU will be discussed in Astana on May 29 – Overchuk
19.05.2026,
18:11
The heads of state of Armenia will discuss Armenia's status in the Eurasian Economic Union at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on May 29 in Astana, said Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk.
YEREVAN, May 19. /ARKA/. The heads of state of Armenia will discuss Armenia's status in the Eurasian Economic Union at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on May 29 in Astana, said Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk.
"This is a very complex issue. I repeat, we don't want Armenia to leave the EAEU; we want Armenia to continue to prosper, but we see the problems that will arise in the event of accession or rapprochement with the EU. In principle, they are already emerging," he told TASS.
Overchuk noted that during Armenia's 11 years of participation in the EAEU, the country has flourished, and its standard of living and GDP have grown.
"All this is happening largely thanks to the economic preferences that membership in the EAEU provides. No one can replace these for Armenia," he said.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, Russia doesn't want Armenia to lose the economic advantages it currently enjoys.
"But if the choice is made in favor of the EU, then, of course, we have a question. Why should we support this at our own expense? If Armenia joins countries unfriendly to Russia, then why should we support it?" he said.
Noting that Armenia has stated its desire to join the EU and adopt its standards, but still wants to remain in the EAEU and enjoy all economic preferences, Overchuk said it would be better for Armenia to make a decision quickly, "this will be fairer both to Armenia's allies in the EAEU and to Armenia itself."
"Furthermore, this uncertainty forces economic operators to adopt a wait-and-see attitude and hinders the development of long-term economic relations." But, I emphasize, we want Armenia to remain in the EAEU, and the choice is up to the people of Armenia," he emphasized.
Armenia-EAEU-EU: Key Points
The Treaty on Armenia's accession to the EAEU entered into force on January 2, 2015. The Union also includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. According to the latest data from the Armenian State Statistics Service, in the first quarter of 2026, Armenia's trade turnover with the EAEU amounted to $1.41 billion, a decline of 15.6%, while with the European Union it was $763.2 million, an increase of 54.3%.
On March 26, 2025, the Armenian parliament approved a law on the country's accession to the European Union. On April 4, the document was signed by the president.
On December 2, 2025, in Brussels, the parties approved the strategic agenda for the Armenia-EU partnership. Yerevan stated that this agenda includes support for the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity, democratic reforms, and economic development. Sustainability.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that Armenia is moving toward EU standards while maintaining its membership in the EAEU. He stated that if combining both approaches becomes impossible, the next choice will be made together with the country's citizens.
On May 4, 2026, the European Political Community Summit was held in Yerevan. Representatives from EU countries, other European countries, and international organizations participated. The main theme of the summit was "Building the Future: Unity and Stability in Europe."
On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Armenia should decide as soon as possible whether to join the EU or the EAEU "for an intelligent divorce."
"This is a very complex issue. I repeat, we don't want Armenia to leave the EAEU; we want Armenia to continue to prosper, but we see the problems that will arise in the event of accession or rapprochement with the EU. In principle, they are already emerging," he told TASS.
Overchuk noted that during Armenia's 11 years of participation in the EAEU, the country has flourished, and its standard of living and GDP have grown.
"All this is happening largely thanks to the economic preferences that membership in the EAEU provides. No one can replace these for Armenia," he said.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, Russia doesn't want Armenia to lose the economic advantages it currently enjoys.
"But if the choice is made in favor of the EU, then, of course, we have a question. Why should we support this at our own expense? If Armenia joins countries unfriendly to Russia, then why should we support it?" he said.
Noting that Armenia has stated its desire to join the EU and adopt its standards, but still wants to remain in the EAEU and enjoy all economic preferences, Overchuk said it would be better for Armenia to make a decision quickly, "this will be fairer both to Armenia's allies in the EAEU and to Armenia itself."
"Furthermore, this uncertainty forces economic operators to adopt a wait-and-see attitude and hinders the development of long-term economic relations." But, I emphasize, we want Armenia to remain in the EAEU, and the choice is up to the people of Armenia," he emphasized.
Armenia-EAEU-EU: Key Points
The Treaty on Armenia's accession to the EAEU entered into force on January 2, 2015. The Union also includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. According to the latest data from the Armenian State Statistics Service, in the first quarter of 2026, Armenia's trade turnover with the EAEU amounted to $1.41 billion, a decline of 15.6%, while with the European Union it was $763.2 million, an increase of 54.3%.
On March 26, 2025, the Armenian parliament approved a law on the country's accession to the European Union. On April 4, the document was signed by the president.
On December 2, 2025, in Brussels, the parties approved the strategic agenda for the Armenia-EU partnership. Yerevan stated that this agenda includes support for the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity, democratic reforms, and economic development. Sustainability.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that Armenia is moving toward EU standards while maintaining its membership in the EAEU. He stated that if combining both approaches becomes impossible, the next choice will be made together with the country's citizens.
On May 4, 2026, the European Political Community Summit was held in Yerevan. Representatives from EU countries, other European countries, and international organizations participated. The main theme of the summit was "Building the Future: Unity and Stability in Europe."
On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Armenia should decide as soon as possible whether to join the EU or the EAEU "for an intelligent divorce."
