Pashinyan says he has “no unsolvable issues” within EAEU

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said he holds significant influence within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and that, in his view, there are “no unsolvable issues” within the bloc.

Pashinyan made the remarks during a pre-election meeting in Armenia’s Shirak region, highlighting his participation in both major EAEU decision-making formats, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media.

According to Pashinyan, Armenia’s prime minister is the only official who takes part in both meetings of the Intergovernmental Council—comprising heads of government—and the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, which brings together heads of state.

“This status allows me to assert that within the EAEU, there are no unsolvable issues for me,” Pashinyan stated.

He added that after the upcoming parliamentary elections, he intends to address issues related to the bloc’s four core freedoms: the free movement of goods, services, labour, and capital.

“There is no issue related to the application of these four principles that I would be unable to resolve,” Pashinyan emphasised.

At the same time, the Armenian leader acknowledged that the country cannot simultaneously be a member of both the European Union and the EAEU, though he said there is currently no need to make a definitive choice.

“We are a member of the EAEU and are deepening our relations with the EU,” Pashinyan said.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk has previously said Moscow is concerned about Armenia’s EU orientation, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that simultaneous participation in the EU and EAEU is “impossible by definition” due to differing economic and regulatory systems.

By Sabina Mammadli