There is no dilemma between the EAEU and the EU for Armenia, its membership in the EU is impossible - Iskandaryan
YEREVAN, July 1. /ARKA/. here is no dilemma between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the EU for Armenia, the country's membership in the EU is impossible, believes the director of the Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan.
"Of course, it is impossible to be in the EAEU and the EU at the same time, because both are customs unions. If the country is in two trade unions at the same time, I can imagine what a nightmare will begin in the economy, in trade, in exports. But there is no prospect of Armenia being in the EU. And therefore there is no dilemma," Iskandaryan said in an interview with Russian Business Consulting (RBC).
The political scientist touched upon the law "On the beginning of the process of the Republic of Armenia's accession to the European Union" adopted in Armenia this spring.
"Let's be serious - no domestic laws can influence the entry of countries into the European Union in principle. There are Copenhagen membership criteria that must be met to begin membership negotiations. This law is a factor of domestic policy, not foreign policy," Iskandaryan emphasized, agreeing that there is a great demand in Armenian society for joining the EU.
"People generally live with myths. The current one is that the West will help us. The Armenian leadership undoubtedly reinforces this myth, because the Armenian leadership needs to be re-elected. If there is a thesis that is supported by the majority of the population, then why not use it?" the political scientist noted.
"I visit Europe quite often and talk to various figures there - including political ones. They ask me with wide eyes: "Why did you do this?" (they passed the law). And I have to explain to them at length what I am explaining to you. There is no such prospect - at all, not at all, Iskandaryan said.
As for Russia's reaction to Armenia's aspirations to the EU, he expressed the opinion that "everyone understands it perfectly well there."
"There is probably irritation. But if we rise to a serious level - the people who make decisions - do you really think that the Kremlin analysts have not read the Copenhagen criteria? In Europe, they were often neglected, accepting some states, but that was a clear political interest of Brussels - it did this for itself, and not for other countries. There is no such interest in relation to Armenia. But this is a certain narrative that works in Armenian domestic politics," the political scientist believes.
On Russia's position
Official Moscow has repeatedly stated at various levels that Armenia's simultaneous participation in the EU and the EAEU is impossible.
In particular, recently Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk announced that he plans to sign a letter to Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan stating that the actions to join the EU by Armenia contradict the norms of the Eurasian Economic Union. He noted that Russia is monitoring the processes that are taking place within the framework of Armenia's rapprochement with the EU.
