Dual simultaneous membership in EAEU and EU impossible, clarifies EEC Trade Board

The Eurasian Economic Commission’s (EEC) Trade Board has clarified why a state cannot simultaneously be a member of both the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union (EU).

Addressing the issue in response to Armenpress correspondent's question in Moscow, the EEC Trade Board stated that, from a legal standpoint, both the EAEU and the EU are customs unions established under international trade law. Consequently, a state that has transferred its trade policy powers to one of these unions cannot engage in similar processes within the other.

On March 26, Armenia’s parliament adopted in the second reading a draft law initiating the process of joining the European Union. The Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk stated that Armenia must choose between the EAEU and the EU, as “it is impossible to sit on two chairs at the same time.”

Overchuk added that if Armenia joins the European Union, Moscow would be forced to reconsider the entire scope of economic relations with Yerevan.