Armenia's Aspirations to Join the EU Similar to Buying a Titanic Ticket, Says Russian Deputy Prime Minister

The European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are incompatible, and the draft law on Armenia's accession to the EU puts the country at a crossroads, said Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, according to РИА Новости.

"The EAEU and the EU are incompatible. Both unions imply the absence of customs borders and the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor. It is impossible to imagine that these two unions will merge at some point. Therefore, the draft law on the 'start of the process of entering the EU,' which is currently being considered in the Republic of Armenia, puts this country at a crossroads," Overchuk told reporters.

He emphasized that if Armenia's relations with the EAEU cease, the prices of energy resources and food products will rise in Armenia, while Armenian exports will decrease by 80%.

"Thus, ordinary people will lose their incomes and jobs, will pay more for essential goods, and in return, they will likely receive a visa-free regime (with European countries), while Armenia will experience depopulation. It is becoming increasingly clear that membership in the EAEU is a privilege, and considering the economic and social problems faced by the European Union, joining the EU can be compared to buying a ticket for the 'Titanic,'" Overchuk concluded.

He also added that if the drafters of the bill were honest with both Armenia and other EAEU countries, they could have immediately supplemented the bill with a clause about Armenia's exit from the EAEU. "Well, if the issue is not presented this way, it means that the authors of this bill are aware of the consequences of Armenia's departure from our Union," Overchuk concluded.

On Thursday, the Armenian government defended the pro-Western legislative initiative to start the Republic's membership process in the European Union, which will be discussed in the parliament.