Russian Deputy Prime Minister points out the negative consequences of rapprochement with EU for Armenia
YEREVAN, June 20. /ARKA/. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said in an interview with “Vedomosti” that Armenia's course toward rapprochement with the European Union is already causing damage to the republic's economy.
According to him, Armenia's membership in the EAEU has led to significant economic growth: GDP per capita has grown from $3,850 in 2014 to more than $8,500 in 2024. Mutual trade with the EAEU has reached $12.7 billion, while with the EU it was only $2.3 billion. "Armenia's economic success is a demonstration of the advantages of the interaction model within the EAEU," Overchuk emphasized.
However, Yerevan is now actively discussing rapprochement with the European Union. According to Overchuk, due to the course towards the EU, Russian business has become more cautious: in 2024, trade turnover fell by $2 billion, and in 2025, losses could reach $6 billion. For a country with a GDP of $26 billion, this means a loss of 23%. “And this is only the reaction of Russian business to the Armenian discussion,” the Deputy Prime Minister noted.
Overchuk emphasized that it will not be possible to be in the EU and the EAEU at the same time. He invited Armenian citizens to imagine how the EU's choice will affect their lives:
Closing direct flights to Russia (in 2022, Brussels closed EU skies for Russian airlines). This will complicate trips to relatives and reduce the flow of tourists from Russia.
Cargo carriers will have to re-couple trucks at the border, as European and Russian carriers do now: “Armenian trucks will come to Upper Lars, re-couple, and return back to Armenia.”
The Deputy Prime Minister also drew attention to the new Armenian rules for product certification. And the simplification of import of products from third countries will create competition for local producers and force the EAEU to tighten control at the border, which will complicate the export of Armenian goods to Russia.
Overchuk emphasized that Russia will respect the choice of the Armenian people. But rapprochement with the EU will inevitably lead to a complete break between Russia and Armenia. "Do Armenians want this? This is a question they will have to answer," he emphasized.
On April 4, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan signed the law "On the beginning of the process of accession of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union." After that, the country's government stated that it does not have the issue of leaving the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) on its agenda.
