Armenia faces critical choice between EAEU and EU membership Is Price Too High for Citizens?

Armenia must choose between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union (EU), as Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk stated that the two organizations are "incompatible" due to their free movement of goods, services, and capital.

According to Overchuk, the draft law currently under consideration in Armenia, titled "On the Launch of the Process of Accession to the European Union," places the country in a position of choice, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"EAEU and the EU are incompatible. Both unions imply the absence of customs borders and the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labour. It is impossible to imagine that these two unions could merge at some point," he stated.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, "If the authors of this draft law had been entirely honest both towards the people of Armenia and towards other EAEU member states, they could have immediately included a provision stating that Armenia would cease its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union upon the law’s enactment."

The Deputy Prime Minister further noted that if Armenia were to sever its relations with the EAEU, "on the one hand, energy and food prices would rise, and on the other, exports of Armenian goods would decline by 70–80%."

"Thus, ordinary people would lose income, jobs, and face higher costs for necessities. In return, they would likely receive visa-free access, and Armenia would experience depopulation. It is becoming increasingly clear that EAEU membership is a privilege," Overchuk stated, comparing EU accession to purchasing a ticket for the "Titanic," given the economic and social challenges facing the organization.

On January 9, the Armenian government approved a draft law on the country's accession to the European Union. The passage of the law will initiate this process.

The final decision on EU membership will be made through a national referendum, said Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during the government meeting.

By Aghakazim Guliyev