Robert Kocharyan: Armenian authorities are jeopardizing their membership in the Eurasian Economic Union
08.05.2026,
21:42
The policies of the Armenian authorities threaten Armenia's membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, stated Robert Kocharyan, leader of the opposition bloc "Armenia," and second President of the Republic of Armenia.
YEREVAN, May 8. /ARKA/. The policies of the Armenian authorities threaten Armenia's membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, stated Robert Kocharyan, leader of the opposition bloc "Armenia," and second President of the Republic of Armenia.
"Today there is a huge market—the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) market. We in Armenia can produce and consume in this huge market," Kocharyan noted at a pre-election rally in Echmiadzin.
According to him, the Armenian authorities are currently jeopardizing their membership in the Eurasian Economic Union.
"We reject this position. It ignores the fact that the well-being of 80% of our population depends to a significant extent on this market. We must have balanced relations with Europe, Russia, and China, and never try to exploit their differences. "For a small country, this is quite a pleasure, a great risk, and we will not take such steps, unlike the current authorities," Kocharyan said.
On Armenia-EAEU Trade
According to Armstat, Armenia's foreign trade turnover with EAEU countries in January-March 2026 amounted to almost $1.41 billion, a decrease of 15.6% compared to January-March 2025.
Armenia's exports to EAEU countries during this period amounted to over $685.9 million (a decrease of 6.5%), while imports exceeded $766.5 million (a decrease of 21.2%). Among the CIS member states, Russia remains Armenia's largest trading partner in the EAEU, with trade turnover of almost $1.33 billion (a decrease of 17.2%), exports exceeding $639.3 million, and imports exceeding $727.6 million.
"Today there is a huge market—the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) market. We in Armenia can produce and consume in this huge market," Kocharyan noted at a pre-election rally in Echmiadzin.
According to him, the Armenian authorities are currently jeopardizing their membership in the Eurasian Economic Union.
"We reject this position. It ignores the fact that the well-being of 80% of our population depends to a significant extent on this market. We must have balanced relations with Europe, Russia, and China, and never try to exploit their differences. "For a small country, this is quite a pleasure, a great risk, and we will not take such steps, unlike the current authorities," Kocharyan said.
On Armenia-EAEU Trade
According to Armstat, Armenia's foreign trade turnover with EAEU countries in January-March 2026 amounted to almost $1.41 billion, a decrease of 15.6% compared to January-March 2025.
Armenia's exports to EAEU countries during this period amounted to over $685.9 million (a decrease of 6.5%), while imports exceeded $766.5 million (a decrease of 21.2%). Among the CIS member states, Russia remains Armenia's largest trading partner in the EAEU, with trade turnover of almost $1.33 billion (a decrease of 17.2%), exports exceeding $639.3 million, and imports exceeding $727.6 million.
