Pashinyan calls on Putin to resolve import restrictions

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation to discuss the Armenia–Russia bilateral agenda, focusing in particular on problems that have emerged in their economic relations.

Pashinyan stressed that restrictions on exports of Armenian-origin goods to the Russian market “contradict the legal and treaty framework governing Armenia–Russia relations, as well as the regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).” He asked Putin to take measures to resolve these issues.

Regarding the possibility of holding a referendum in Armenia on joining the European Union, which was mentioned in the joint statement adopted by the leaders of the four EAEU member states on May 29, Pashinyan emphasized that such a referendum would be practically possible only after Armenia formally submits an application for EU membership to the European Union, making the issue substantive.

At the same time, Pashinyan reaffirmed the Armenian government's readiness “to address these issues through open, constructive and friendly dialogue.”

According to the Kremlin's statement on the call, the conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took place at the initiative of the Armenian side.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin stressed the need to hold a referendum in Armenia on the Eurasian Economic Union as soon as possible, according to RIA Novosti.

"During the phone conversation, the need to hold a referendum in Armenia (on the EAEU) as soon as possible was emphasized," Peskov told reporters.

Russian President Vladimir Putin did not congratulate Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the victory of his political force in the June 7 elections.