Russian diplomat: EAEU membership drives Armenia’s trade and growth

Armenia’s economic achievements and socio-economic resilience are largely a result of its participation in Eurasian economic processes, a factor that is often understated, Dmitry Litskay, Minister-Counsellor at the Russian Embassy in Armenia, said.

He made the remarks during the international roundtable “Eurasian Integration and Prospects for the Economic Development of the Republic of Armenia", Caliber.Az reports, referring to Armenian media.

Currently, Armenia is actively discussing the comparative benefits of EAEU membership versus hypothetical prospects of closer ties with the European Union (EU).

Litskay stressed the importance of demonstrating, through practical examples and direct engagement with the public, that the EAEU is not inferior and, in fact, a more promising organisation for those focused on tangible results.

In this context, Litskay explained: "The EAEU has always placed greater emphasis on practical mechanisms and real work, rather than on publicity or advertising its achievements. In contrast, the EU’s communication efforts are much more extensive. Essentially, the EU largely represents an image project, around which the perception is formed that mere membership automatically delivers economic benefits, prosperity, and immediate improvement in quality of life."

He added: "Such expectations were clearly seen, for example, in Ukraine, where people seriously claimed on camera that pensions would immediately rise to 10,000 euros, salaries would increase severalfold, and the ability to travel freely would make citizens wealthy."

Litskay also highlighted the need for the EAEU to actively showcase to citizens, government bodies, businesses, and civil organisations the real advantages and practical results already achieved within the Union.

He noted that Armenia’s economic performance within the EAEU reflects measurable outcomes of integration. Since joining the Union, Armenia’s exports to EAEU countries have increased fourteenfold, fueled by the removal of customs barriers, favourable delivery conditions, and established logistics chains. Last year, Armenia’s trade turnover with EAEU countries approached $13 billion.

The diplomat emphasised that the EAEU was created as a direct response to the challenges faced by the economies of member states and their development needs. The Union provides a framework for stability, cooperation, and modernisation.

"If the post-Soviet countries had not found a unifying formula in the form of the EAEU, it is clear that our economic space would have been fragmented or absorbed by growing centres of international economic development, such as the WTO or the EU. The EAEU, however, became the core that allowed us to preserve economic sovereignty, maintain production chains, enhance competitiveness, strengthen logistics networks, and sustain industries that were established during the Soviet era," Litskay explained.

By Tamilla Hasanova