Moscow: Yerevan`s dual policy toward EU and EAEU has neither  political nor economic basis

ArmInfo.Yerevan's dual policy toward the EU and the EAEU has neither political nor economic basis and, in principle, cannot be implemented. This was stated by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova during a briefing on August 27, responding to a question regarding Yerevan's intention to apply for EU membership.

"The question of Armenia's possible accession to the European Union,  I believe, simply exposes fundamental contradictions. These are  primarily due to the direct incompatibility of the EU and EAEU  (Eurasian Economic Union) legal frameworks. At the same time, Yerevan  has still not deemed it necessary to coordinate its European  integration aspirations with its EAEU partners, demonstratively  attempting to simultaneously reap the benefits of Eurasian  integration and move toward the European Union," she noted.

Zakharova called the Armenian authorities' tactics downright  inappropriate. She noted that the Republic intends to gain the  benefits of EU membership without sacrificing its privileges within  the EAEU. "And perhaps, if the EU weren't pursuing a completely  destructive policy, directly focused on undermining integration,  economic, and cooperative ties precisely in the aforementioned space,  the EAEU, we could perhaps consider some possibilities. There are no  possibilities here because the EU makes no secret of the fact that  for it, the EAEU is a target for defeat," the Russian diplomat said.

"This dual course has neither a political nor an economic basis and,  in principle, cannot be implemented.

If Armenia chooses to join the EU, it will inevitably have to give up  its EAEU preferences. Moreover, after submitting its application for  EU membership, Armenia will face profound contradictions within the  EAEU, with Armenia bearing the brunt of the blow. Moscow has  repeatedly, very clearly, thoroughly, and very patiently warned  Yerevan that pursuing European integration will inevitably complicate  relations with the EAEU, including with Russia," she said. She cited  Turkey, which has been waiting decades for accession approval, as a  clear example of Armenia's lack of prospects for EU membership. She  added that in Armenia's case, the risks are even greater due to the  direct clash of economic regimes.

"Therefore, the conflictual nature of this issue is not situational,  but systemic," she concluded.

As a reminder, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced from  the parliamentary rostrum on August 24 that the country intends to  apply for EU membership in the near future. He also expressed his  belief that the country should hold a referendum on its membership in  the EU or the EAEU only after applying for EU membership and  receiving a response.

On January 9, 2025, the Armenian government approved a draft law on  the start of the EU accession process, proposed by the "Eurakve"  civic initiative. The draft law was submitted to the Armenian  parliament for approval. On March 26, the parliament adopted it in  its final reading and sent it to the president for signature. The  document was signed on April 4 of that year. Moscow stated that  Russia had communicated to Armenia that simultaneous membership in  the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union was impossible.