Pashinyan: Armenia contributes more to EAEU budget than it receives

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said the fundamental principles of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are not being fully implemented, arguing that barriers continue to restrict the free functioning of the bloc's common market.

Speaking at a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, Pashinyan said one of the EAEU's core principles is the free movement of goods, services, capital and labour, but that these objectives have yet to be fully realised, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

“Armenia has contributed more funds to the EAEU’s common budget than it has received, which is direct evidence of our responsible approach to fulfilling our obligations to the EAEU,” Pashinyan said.

He added that Armenia provides equal and non-discriminatory conditions for businesses from all EAEU member states and said the same standards should be applied throughout the union.

“That is precisely why Armenia considers it of fundamental importance that any measures capable of affecting the access of goods and services from EAEU member states to the common market be adopted only in accordance with the union’s law, based on agreed-upon procedures, and within the framework of a constructive dialogue between the competent authorities,” Pashinyan stated.

The Eurasian Intergovernmental Council met in Cholpon-Ata on August 6–7, bringing together the prime ministers of the EAEU member states to discuss regional economic integration.

Following the meeting, the participating governments signed three agreements covering e-commerce within the EAEU, the mutual recognition of academic degree certificates, and the mutual admission of brokers and dealers to participate in exchange trading.

By Sabina Mammadli