Zakharova Advises Armenian Authorities

The development of Armenia's relations with the European Union is the sovereign right of Yerevan, but it will lead to the loss of privileges and benefits within the EAEU framework. This was stated by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, during a briefing, emphasizing that Armenia is currently receiving specific benefits from the EAEU.

She advised the Armenian authorities to analyze what consequences such steps would have. According to Zakharova, this primarily concerns the painful severance of long-established trade chains and the loss of the enormous market of the EAEU.

"According to some assessments, Armenia's exports would decrease by 80 percent if it exits the EAEU, and it would be impossible to replace the losses with alternative sources even in the medium term," said Zakharova.

She noted that the development of relations between Yerevan and the EU would be a blow to Armenia's development and could lead to total impoverishment. According to her, trade with the EU and the USA has significantly decreased in 2024 and is approximately six times lower than trade turnover with Russia.

It is noteworthy that the permanent commission for European integration of the Armenian National Assembly has given a positive conclusion on the draft law on the initiation of the process of Armenia's membership in the European Union. The issue will be included in the agenda of the upcoming session of the National Assembly, which will start on February 11.