Pashinyan warns EAEU faces paralysis

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia has no plans to leave the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), while stressing that the country must maintain alternatives in every strategic direction. Commenting on recent export difficulties, Pashinyan said the problems concern the EAEU rather than Armenia, according to Aysor.am .

"In reality, it turns out that the EAEU is paralyzed and not functioning. If this issue is not resolved quickly, allow me to predict that this will mark the beginning of the end for the EAEU," he said.

The prime minister also commented on his recent telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing it as productive.

"My dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin was successful because we spoke at length. On a number of issues, we reached a common understanding that Armenia has the legitimate right to develop alternatives for itself," Pashinyan said.

According to the prime minister, he informed the Russian president about Armenia's current policy course.

"I told the Russian president that we had announced this path and that we would continue along it, especially now that the people of Armenia have voted in its favor. As I said during the election campaign, I cannot imagine a situation in which, as a result of our policies, Armenia finds itself without alternatives. Armenia must always have alternatives in every matter. The era of having no alternatives is over," he said.

Russia has imposed restrictions on imports of several Armenian products. These include bans on imports of Jermuk mineral water, flowers and certain alcoholic beverages from Armenia. Restrictions have also been introduced on a number of agricultural products, including tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries. Since June 2, Russia has restricted the import and transit through the EAEU of cherries, apricots, peaches, plums, grapes and other stone fruits from Armenia. Since June 3, it has also restricted imports of eggplants, potatoes and dried fruits originating from and exported by Armenia.