The situation related to Armenian products is a good opportunity to work on the EAEU. - Pashinyan
07-08-2026 13:30 Armenia Economy
Sputnik. The head of the Armenian government has stated that it is preferable for the Eurasian Economic Union not to torpedo the processes of diversification, but rather to work on increasing its attractiveness, and Yerevan is ready to participate in that.
There is no need to create a negative background regarding the current situation with Armenian products; on the contrary, it is a good opportunity to work on the effectiveness and competitiveness of the Eurasian Economic Union. This was stated by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Russian journalists during the meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Kyrgyzstan.
Pashinyan noted that the restrictions imposed on Armenian products in Russia create a negative perception of the Eurasian Economic Union in Armenia. However, it is important for any country to improve the quality, competitiveness, and production standards of its products. The Prime Minister stated that Armenia is working on this.
According to him, he highly appreciates the position of the leaders of the other four member states of the EAEU regarding the issue of holding a referendum in Armenia on joining the European Union (or maintaining membership in the EAEU).
Pashinyan mentioned that there will certainly be a referendum, but only after Armenia officially applies for EU membership. "Today, holding it is impossible, as the question does not have a substantive nature," said Pashinyan.
"If we hold a referendum now and declare that we need to make a decision regarding the EAEU and the EU, what will the reaction be? Citizens will ask what prospects we have for becoming a member of the European Union. A number of questions will arise, to which neither we nor anyone else has answers," stated the Prime Minister of Armenia.
At the same time, he emphasized that it is very important to understand that if the fundamental principles of the EAEU (the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor - ed.) do not work, the entire union will find itself in a crisis, because if the principles of the EAEU do not work, then the EAEU itself will not function.
"I believe that the best position for the Eurasian Economic Union at this moment would be not to torpedo this process, but rather to work on increasing the attractiveness of the EAEU, and Armenia is ready to work on that," he stated.
Pashinyan also noted that the diversification of economic ties is the sovereign right of any country, and the issue now is not to compare the EAEU and the EU, but to create some alternatives for Armenia.
According to him, the process of diversification has been partly provoked by certain partners of the Eurasian Economic Union, who claimed that Armenia is needed by no one and that it is not expected anywhere (possibly referring to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko - ed.). The Prime Minister of Armenia stated that Yerevan has perceived this message not negatively, but positively, and it shows that the actual situation is quite different.
* This text was automatically translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
