Lavrov predicts Armenia will soon Abandon EU Membership Bid

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday that Armenia’s desire to join the European Union would “very soon” disappear, while accusing the bloc of eroding its own economic advantages.

Lavrov made the remarks during the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, according to RBC.

He argued that the EU was losing its economic advantages because of what he described as a range of factors, including poor strategic judgment. Lavrov also criticised the bloc in unusually blunt terms.

“Economically, the European Union, due to many factors, including its short-sightedness, not to mention stupidity, is losing its advantages,” Lavrov said.

He pointed to Armenia and Serbia as countries that continue to express an interest in joining the EU, despite what he described as the bloc’s declining economic appeal.

“Our Serbian friends, and now our Armenian partners, continue to say: ‘We want to join the European Union’. I am sure that this desire will disappear very soon,” the Russian foreign minister said.

Lavrov’s comments come as Armenia has increasingly pursued closer ties with the European Union while maintaining its relationship with Russia. Yerevan has also been moving to deepen cooperation with Western institutions, including through its EU accession process.

By Tamilla Hasanova