Lukashenko: "We don`t want Armenia to withdraw the EAEU, but we can`t  go against the will of the Armenian people"

ArmInfo.  During  the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council Summit (SEEC), it was stated that no one wants Armenia to withdraw the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), yet at  the same time, everyone respects the country's choice. Belarusian  President Alexander Lukashenko made this statement when providing  details of the EAEU statement regarding Armenia's stance, as reported  by the Belarusian news agency BelTA.

Lukashenko recalled that this topic had been discussed during the  SEEC meeting in a closed-door format, resulting in the signing of a  corresponding statement. "We have all stated: we do not want Armenia  to leave our Eurasian Union. At the same time—and this was expressed  by Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] in his speech—we  respect Armenia's choice. I then added right there: we respect the  choice of the people of Armenia. If the people make such a decision  and agree to exit the union they are currently in to eventually join  the European Union, we cannot go against the will of the Armenian  people," the President of Belarus declared.

As Lukashenko noted, the statement also mentioned that EAEU member  states support the desire of the Armenian leadership, which has  expressed an intent to hold a referendum on this matter. However, he  pointed out that such a referendum must be organized fairly,  transparently, and democratically.

"If all of this is fulfilled and the Armenian people vote against the  EAEU, this decision will be accepted within the Eurasian Economic  Union. However, the leadership of Armenia, and especially the  Armenian people, must understand what they stand to gain and what  they stand to lose," Lukashenko emphasized.  According to him,  Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to inform the broader  international community—or anyone willing to listen—about the details  of the issue.  In particular, Lukashenko said this would include  clarifying "what it means to renounce the Eurasian Union, where  Armenia is now, and to join the European Union."

He also pointed to the experience of other countries, noting that the  EU accession process can be lengthy, a factor he said Armenia should  take into account when making such a decision.  "Taking into account  Ukraine, which has pursued this goal for a long time, and even more  so Turkey, which in my view has already been waiting for 25 or 30  years to join the European Union," the Belarusian president added.