MEP says EU may require Armenia to impose visas on Russia

Armenia could be required to introduce a visa regime with Russia and align with sanctions against Moscow as part of its bid to join the European Union, a Member of the European Parliament said.

Fernand Kartheiser made the remarks in an interview published on July 30 by Izvestia, outlining what he described as potential conditions tied to EU accession.

“Brussels promises Yerevan European integration only in order to destroy its ties with Moscow,” said Kartheiser, who previously served on a parliamentary cooperation committee with Armenia. He added that European officials would pressure Armenia to introduce visas for Russian citizens and to join sanctions against Russia.

“The European Union is using the republic for its own geopolitical purposes, but will not be able to protect it from the inevitable economic and political consequences of such a step,” he said.

Kartheiser also said Armenia should approach cooperation with Western countries as a long-term project while avoiding actions that could further destabilise or weaken its position in the region.

“Armenia should view its cooperation with the West as a long-term project and at the same time should not take any steps that could further destabilise or weaken its position in the region,” he said.

By Tamilla Hasanova