A state cannot delegate trade policy to both the EAEU and EU simultaneously, says the Eurasian Economic Commission.

The Eurasian Economic Commission’s Board on Trade has explained why a single state cannot simultaneously be a member of both the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union (EU), Armenpress reports.

“From a legal standpoint, both the EAEU and the EU are customs unions established under international trade law. That is why the same state cannot be a member of both unions at the same time. A state that has already transferred its trade policy powers to either the EU or the EAEU cannot simultaneously engage in similar processes within the other union,” the clarification states.

On March 26, Armenia’s National Assembly approved in second reading a draft law initiating the process of joining the European Union.

In response, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk stated on March 27 that “Armenia must choose between the EAEU and the EU, as it is impossible to sit on two chairs at once.” He emphasized that the same state cannot belong to both the EAEU and the EU. Overchuk added that Moscow would be forced to reassess its entire economic relationship with Yerevan should Armenia pursue EU membership.