Yerevan: Mediamax: Russian President Vladimir Putin today told Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a meeting in Bishkek that Armenia's decision to start the process of joining the EU is effectively equivalent to a statement of leaving the Eurasian Economic Union, as it is impossible to be a member of both organizations simultaneously.
“Dear Nikol Vovaevich, we will have a discussion now, I am always interested in discussing any topic with you. But on the main issue, I must, however, disagree with you. You said that you have not announced your exit. The adoption of a law to start the process of joining another economic organization effectively means a statement of leaving our organization,” Putin's words are quoted by TASS.
He noted that “being in both at the same time is incompatible, that is the problem.”
“You know well the Russian position - Armenia's aspiration towards the EU is the natural, legal right of the country and the people. Armenia is a sovereign state, and the Armenian people themselves decide their development vector,” said Vladimir Putin.
The Russian president added: “The simplest solution is to appeal to the people and ask: ‘What do you want?’ And that's it, let's close the topic.”
“I repeat once again - we will respect any choice of the Armenian people. How Armenia decides is how it will be. But we need to regulate our trade and economic policy in connection with these possible decisions, and we would ask you to determine as soon as possible,” noted Vladimir Putin.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Russian president noted that “we constantly advocate for the development of friendly, mutually beneficial relations with Armenia, based on the principles of strategic partnership and alliance.” According to him, “we proceed from the fact that this corresponds to the fundamental interests of the Armenian people and the fundamental interests of Russia.”
