This Will Be Quite Painful for the Population of Armenia: Galuzin

Our Armenian partners will have to decide at some point in which direction they are going—towards integration with the European Union or through continued participation in Eurasian integration via the EAEU. This was stated by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin in an interview with the newspaper 'IZ.RU.'

"The thing is that objectively, simultaneous membership in both the EU and the EAEU is impossible, as these unions have different customs and tariff regulations; they are essentially different economic blocs. Accordingly, our Armenian partners will probably have to decide at some point whether they are moving towards integration with the European Union or continuing their participation in Eurasian integration through the EAEU. That participation evidently brings significant benefits to the Armenian population, reflected primarily in substantial numbers for the growth of Armenia's GDP. In the last year alone, it has amounted to around 6 percent.

On the other hand, what does the European Union represent for Armenia and other countries at this stage? It is a set of requirements and standards with a vague prospect of membership. If Armenia chooses the European path, this will objectively lead to a revision of the established economic relations that Yerevan currently has with its EAEU partners. This will likely be quite a painful process, unfortunately, for the Armenian population.

It is logical to assume that the country's leadership will explain to its population what it stands to lose by leaving the EAEU and what it might gain from EU membership. These are primarily transient ideologies, rather than real economic collaborations. Even today, Armenia's trade turnover with each of the EU countries is several times lower than with Russia. Not to mention the fact that the EU is openly pursuing a hostile policy towards Armenia's key economic partner and strategic ally, Russia. It involves inflicting strategic defeat on Russia and weakening our country, blocking actions that contribute to the political and diplomatic resolution of the Ukrainian crisis, and attempting to sow discord among Russia and its strategic partners and allies in the CIS, EAEU, and CSTO.

Official Yerevan, I hope, sees this situation and evaluates it accordingly. To date, Armenia has not exited any structure of the Eurasian Economic Union. We highly value its successful presidency in the EAEU last year, hence our cooperation continues. The representatives of the country are also actively participating in all events of the CIS bodies and all expert meetings," Galuzin said.