Russian deputy prime minister says EEU and EU incompatible

YEREVAN, 25 June. /ARKA/. The Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and the European Union (EU) are incompatible, the arrival of extra-regional players in Armenia will have consequences, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said , speaking at the Primakov Readings forum.

"Of course, speaking about Armenia, it would be impossible, wrong to close our eyes to the fact that today the political vector of this country is leaning more and more towards the West," TASS news agency quoted him as saying.

According to him, the benefits a country gets from its proximity with Russia should be perceived as the price the Russian side pays for its security and strategic depth.

"Therefore, the arrival of some extra-regional players there will certainly have consequences," the Russian deputy prime minister said.

Overchuk said Russia is interested in a stable Armenia, in good trade relations, "in good brotherly relations."

"When real threats arise, as now, when the elements actually destroyed the only railway route that connected Armenia with the rest of the world via Georgia, <...> we, by the decision of Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, promptly came to the rescue and restored the traffic in record time," he said.

Earlier, Overchuk said the first test train travelled on the restored track on 14 June, a week earlier than expected. The railway connection with Georgia, which is important for the people of Armenia, has been unblocked.

The emergency situation was created in Tavush and Lori due to the rains that took place on 25-26 May, as well as the overflow of the Debed, Aghstev and Tashir rivers. The natural disaster claimed 4 lives and more than 440 people were evacuated. The flood-affected localities in two marzes have been declared a disaster zone. -0-