Ovechuk: energy prices will rise in Armenia, while exports will drop by 70-80 per cent if ties with the EEU curtailed
10.01.2025,
10:48
In case of curtailing ties with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), energy prices in Armenia will rise and exports will drop, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk told reporters.
YEREVAN, 10 January. /ARKA/. In case of curtailing ties with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), energy prices in Armenia will rise and exports will drop, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk told reporters.
He claimed that ‘in case of winding down relations with the EEU in Armenia, on the one hand, energy and food prices will rise, and on the other hand, exports of Armenian goods will shrink by 70-80 per cent’.
‘Thus, ordinary people will lose their incomes, jobs and will pay more for basic necessities. In return, they are likely to get a visa-free travel to EU and Armenia will get depopulation,’ he argued.
Overchuk also said that Armenia's accession to the EU is incompatible with the country's membership in the EEU.
‘The EEU and the EU are incompatible. Both unions assume the absence of customs borders and freedom of movement of goods, services, capital and labour,’ he said.
'It is impossible to imagine that these two unions will converge at some point. That's why the draft law ‘On launching the process of joining the European Union’ being considered in Armenia puts this country in front of a choice’.
According to Overchuk, ‘now it is becoming more and more obvious that membership in the EEU is a privilege, and taking into account the economic and social problems faced by the European Union, joining the EU can be compared to buying a ticket to the Titanic’.
Overchuk argued that the draft law on the beginning of Armenia's accession to the EU ‘is completely honest both towards the people of Armenia and other EEU countries; they could have immediately supplemented it with an article stating that the Republic of Armenia terminates its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union from the moment this law enters into force’, Deputy Prime Minister said.
‘After all, why hold on to the EEU, which you don't want to be in? If this is not the question, it means that the authors of this draft law are aware of the consequences of Armenia's withdrawal from our union,’ he concluded. > Murad: On 9 January, the Armenian government gave a positive estimate to the draft on beginning Armenia's accession to the EU. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that the country can become a member of the EU only if a referendum is held and if the decision gains the required number of votes. In this regard, he noted that it is necessary to discuss and develop a joint roadmap with the EU.
He claimed that ‘in case of winding down relations with the EEU in Armenia, on the one hand, energy and food prices will rise, and on the other hand, exports of Armenian goods will shrink by 70-80 per cent’.
‘Thus, ordinary people will lose their incomes, jobs and will pay more for basic necessities. In return, they are likely to get a visa-free travel to EU and Armenia will get depopulation,’ he argued.
Overchuk also said that Armenia's accession to the EU is incompatible with the country's membership in the EEU.
‘The EEU and the EU are incompatible. Both unions assume the absence of customs borders and freedom of movement of goods, services, capital and labour,’ he said.
'It is impossible to imagine that these two unions will converge at some point. That's why the draft law ‘On launching the process of joining the European Union’ being considered in Armenia puts this country in front of a choice’.
According to Overchuk, ‘now it is becoming more and more obvious that membership in the EEU is a privilege, and taking into account the economic and social problems faced by the European Union, joining the EU can be compared to buying a ticket to the Titanic’.
Overchuk argued that the draft law on the beginning of Armenia's accession to the EU ‘is completely honest both towards the people of Armenia and other EEU countries; they could have immediately supplemented it with an article stating that the Republic of Armenia terminates its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union from the moment this law enters into force’, Deputy Prime Minister said.
‘After all, why hold on to the EEU, which you don't want to be in? If this is not the question, it means that the authors of this draft law are aware of the consequences of Armenia's withdrawal from our union,’ he concluded. > Murad: On 9 January, the Armenian government gave a positive estimate to the draft on beginning Armenia's accession to the EU. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that the country can become a member of the EU only if a referendum is held and if the decision gains the required number of votes. In this regard, he noted that it is necessary to discuss and develop a joint roadmap with the EU.
