YEREVAN — “The Eurasian Economic Union must clearly say whether it exists or not. We say that it exists. If the EAEU says, directly or indirectly, that it no longer exists, what can we do? We exist, we are in the EAEU, and we are working within the EAEU,” Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during a government session on June 25.
Referring to restrictions on exports from Armenia to the EAEU, the prime minister said that despite diversification efforts and the search for alternative export routes, Armenia continues to work with the EAEU.
“We do not proceed from the assumption that something irreversible has happened there and that we should no longer look in that direction. We will continue working, and I am confident that solutions will be found. If no solutions are found, that will mean something else, first and foremost for the EAEU. The EAEU must clearly say whether it exists or not. We say that it exists, because as a participating state, we believe that there has been a misunderstanding and that the impression has been created that the EAEU does not exist. If the EAEU says, directly or indirectly, that it no longer exists, what can we do? We exist, and we are in the EAEU and working within the EAEU,” Pashinyan said.
Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan noted that the diversification currently taking place, with Armenian goods also being exported to Europe, the Middle East and other markets, will help restore the flow of exports to the EAEU.
“If our diversification process continues, the other issue will be resolved mechanically. If exports are directed only one way, the matter becomes a debate over quality. But when export routes are spread out, the argument that there is a quality issue becomes unfounded, because there cannot be a quality problem in one place and not in another,” Grigoryan said.
Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan, also addressing diversification, said that in June alone, flowers from Armenia were exported to 16 countries.
The European Union is set to provide Armenia with more than €50 million in immediate financial assistance in response to Russia’s economic restrictions. The support is intended to help ensure access for Armenian goods to the European market and promote the reopening of regional infrastructure.
Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said that logistical issues arise when exporting to certain new markets.
“I believe the logistical obstacles will be overcome quickly, and we will see better results,” Mirzoyan said.
Pashinyan also addressed the statement issued by the leaders of four EAEU member states during the May 29 summit of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council. He said he has questions for Armenia’s EAEU partners regarding the statement adopted in his absence, adding that its practical significance must be clarified.
He said it is necessary to determine whether any member state of the union can make such a decision regarding another member state. According to the prime minister, if the answer to that question is yes, then it would mean that the EAEU is declaring its own dissolution.
On May 29, during the summit of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, four EAEU member states — Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan — issued a joint statement stressing the importance of holding a nationwide referendum in Armenia as soon as possible on whether the country should seek membership in the European Union or remain in the Eurasian Economic Union.
