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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Armenian Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan during their meeting in Moscow on Thursday that simultaneous membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), of which Armenia is a member, and the European Union is incompatible.
He made the remarks in reference to the Armenian parliament’s passage of the EU bill calling on the government to begin the process of EU accession.
Lavrov said that Moscow is interested in Armenia being “sovereign, strong, self-sustaining, and able to choose its foreign policy independently.”
“Discussions are ongoing about what is more important and beneficial for Armenia: continuing integration processes within the Eurasian Economic Union or adopting the norms and standards of the European Union. We are following these discussions. But you know our position. Membership in the Eurasian Economic Union is incompatible with the principles that underpin membership in the European Union. This is your choice, and we will fully respect it,” Lavrov said.
However, the Russian foreign minister added that he expects Armenia to take into account the results achieved over the ten years of its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union.
“Moscow remains your main trade and economic partner. We are committed to expanding this cooperation and advancing major infrastructure projects,” he noted.