YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. Armenia attaches importance to the implementation of activities by the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) for developing the Union and making it more effective, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview to the Russian TASS news agency in Brussels, reports Armenpress.

“The EAEU and CIS have proved their importance, they are very important for Armenia. But we need to carry out works to make them more efficient. If the organization has proved its importance, it doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be developed anymore. Quite the contrary, that development is very important so that the cooperation within the CIS and EAEU will be more effective and prospective”, the Armenian PM said.

He stated that Russia is Armenia’s key trade partner within the EAEU. Pashinyan highlighted the further development of these relations. “But for us it’s also important that the mutual trade turnover is at a good level with the remaining member states of the Union. That will mean the Union’s important and natural development. And we will do everything for this to happen”, the PM said.

Nikol Pashinyan also talked about the simplified trade agreement signed between the EAEU and Iran. He said currently the ratification stage of the agreement is underway in the parliaments of the member states. PM Pashinyan expressed hope that the agreement will enter into force during Armenia’s chairmanship in the EAEU. The Armenian PM, who recently visited Iran, stated that Iran is looking forward to the agreement to enter into force because in fact it opens a new opportunity for the economic cooperation.

Last year in December the Armenian government approved the legislative initiative on ratifying the interim agreement aimed at forming a free trade zone between the EAEU and Iran. The agreement has been signed in Astana on May 17, 2018.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan