Russian President Vladimir Putin has given Armenia a choice between pursuing membership in the European Union and maintaining its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union.
اضافة اعلان
During a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of a summit in Kyrgyzstan, Putin reiterated Moscow’s position that Yerevan’s accession to the European Union would “undoubtedly create difficulties in maintaining its status within the Eurasian Economic Union.” He again urged Armenia to put the issue of joining the European bloc to a referendum “as soon as possible.”
In response, Pashinyan said that the adoption of a law last year formally declaring Armenia’s intention to seek EU membership made holding a referendum unnecessary. He argued that it was too early to discuss Armenia’s withdrawal from the Eurasian Union.
Putin responded, saying that “adopting a law that launches accession procedures to another economic organization is, in practice, a declaration of withdrawal from our organization... We must adjust our trade and economic policies in line with these potential decisions.”
Media reports said the meeting featured a tense discussion over Yerevan’s desire to pursue EU membership, a move Moscow considers incompatible with the Eurasian Union, which comprises several former Soviet states.
Putin’s meeting with Pashinyan was the first since elections were held in Armenia last June, which confirmed the Caucasus country’s shift toward the West.
