Moscow reiterates objection to Armenia’s EU course while maintaining EAEU benefits

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin has stated that it is unacceptable for Moscow if Armenia officially declares and legally enshrines its European aspirations while continuing to enjoy all the benefits of membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Galuzin made these remarks in an interview with RTVI.

He said Russia has consistently conveyed its concerns regarding the recently adopted law in Armenia on EU integration to the Armenian authorities.

In this context, the Russian deputy foreign minister recalled that on May 29 this year in Astana, the presidents of the other EAEU member states—Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan—adopted a joint statement calling for a nationwide referendum in Armenia to be held as soon as possible on whether the country should join the European Union or remain in the Eurasian Economic Union.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan rejected the proposal, saying that at this stage there are no grounds for holding a referendum on choosing between the European Union and the EAEU. He also said Armenia would continue working within the framework of the EAEU until the point when choosing between the EU and the EAEU becomes unavoidable.

"The four EAEU leaders have instructed that by December a report be prepared on the possible consequences of suspending Armenia's participation in the EAEU. I am therefore confident that experts will study both the economic and legal aspects. Let us wait for the results of their work. Frankly speaking, we do not fully understand why Armenia's leadership is in no hurry to ask the country's citizens for their opinion on this very important issue. I cannot rule out that there are certain opportunistic considerations behind this delay. In this regard, I would like to reiterate our fundamental position, which we have expressed many times before: we consider it unacceptable for Armenia to officially declare and legally formalize its so-called European aspirations while continuing to enjoy all the advantages and benefits of EAEU membership," Galuzin said.

Responding to the interviewer's observation that Armenia has not yet officially applied for EU membership and is not even an EU candidate country—meaning that the accession process has not actually begun—Galuzin disagreed, once again referring to the Armenian law on launching the EU accession process adopted by parliament.

The Russian deputy foreign minister also expressed dissatisfaction that Yerevan hosted the European Political Community summit in early May, which was attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The deputy foreign minister was asked whether Russia, by imposing restrictions on imports of Armenian goods, was actually pushing Yerevan closer to European markets.

Ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections held on June 7, Russia imposed bans and restrictions on the import of numerous Armenian products, and these restrictions remain in place.

Against the backdrop of these Russian import restrictions, Armenia has been diversifying its export markets toward the European Union and other destinations.

"Don’t you think that through these actions Russia itself is pushing Armenia toward European markets, which is harmful to our economic relations?" the journalist asked.

Galuzin dismissed the question as superficial.

"You know, I don’t know what more is needed for all the countries surrounding Armenia and the media to understand that this is a very serious matter. Naturally, we expressed our concerns to the Armenian side at the time, but the Armenian side continued—and continues—to move closer to the European Union. As for the possibility of finding alternative markets where Armenia could sell its products, when today tens of percent—approaching 100 percent in some sectors—of its exports go to Russia, I find it difficult to imagine how that could be accomplished," the Russian deputy foreign minister said.