Armenian deputy PM frames EAEU–EU choice as question of timing, not urgency

Armenia is not currently considering withdrawal from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan said in an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin.

“When it comes to the point where this issue becomes critical, then there will be specifics on this matter, then we will conduct stress tests if necessary. At the moment, we are simply not considering such a scenario,” Grigoryan said, according to Russian media.

“We are not considering breaking ties with the Eurasian Economic Union. Accordingly, we see no need at this stage to carry out any calculations,” he added, responding to a question on whether Armenia has assessed potential economic losses from reducing or severing ties with the EAEU.

Grigoryan also stressed that current difficulties in transporting goods to Russia are technical in nature.

“There is no point in making any trade turnover analyses at this stage, and I hope that the problems that are currently arising with the movement of goods toward Russia will turn out to be technical and will soon disappear,” he emphasised.

The deputy prime minister added that he shares the view of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan regarding the country’s plans to become wealthier.

“Of course, I share the view of the Prime Minister of Armenia. That is, by definition, the case. How it will become wealthier, what flows there will be — that is a long conversation,” he said.

By Jeyhun Aghazada