Minister: Armenia remains EAEU member no plans for exit

Armenian Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan has confirmed that the issue of leaving the EAEU is not on the government’s agenda as he summarized the results for 2024.

“The process of European integration is a parallel agenda. Our primary goal is not choosing between unions, but strengthening economic resilience. It doesn’t matter whether Armenia is in the EU, the EAEU, or elsewhere,” Papoyan said, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

He further added that the key objective is the development of complex goods production and rendering high-quality, competitive services. 

Earlier, the Armenian government approved a bill to begin the European integration process. 

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk stated that membership in both the EAEU and the EU is incompatible, as both unions require the absence of customs borders and the free movement of workers, transportation of goods, rendering of services. This stance was also confirmed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. 

On January 9, the Armenian government approved a bill on the country's accession to the EU. The passage of the law will initiate this process. The final decision on EU membership will be made through a national referendum, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during the government meeting.

By Naila Huseynova