Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has criticized Russia’s steps to limit Armenian exports, stating that such a policy threatens the existence of the Eurasian Economic Union and causes serious concern in other member countries.

During the session of the government on June 25, the head of the government emphasized that EAEU is based on the principles of free movement of goods, services, finance and labor. According to him, the absence of those freedoms de facto means the suspension of the activity of the structure. Pashinyan noted that Yerevan continues to work within the framework of the union, but expects a clear answer from its partners regarding the future fate of the organization, otherwise Armenia will have to take appropriate action. “The EAEU should clearly answer the question whether it exists or not,” Pashinyan asked.

The Prime Minister also expressed his intention to raise the issue of the statement made in his absence on May 29 in the near future. The document signed by the leaders of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan called on Yerevan to hold a referendum in order to make a geopolitical choice between the EAEU and the European Union. Pashinyan considered this practice of decision-making unacceptable, equating it to the self-dissolution of the integration structure.

At the same time, the Armenian government is activating the process of diversification of trade channels, in the conditions of the Russian embargo, which was established ahead of the June 7 parliamentary elections and is still being maintained. As Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan noted, the successful entry of local products into new international markets completely refutes Moscow’s claims about the alleged low quality of Armenian products. Expanding the geography of supplies is considered as the main tool to support businessmen and neutralize economic risks.

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