Pashinyan says people will decide on EU or EAEU path

PanARMENIAN.Net - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the final decision on Armenia’s potential membership in the European Union or the Eurasian Economic Union will be made by the people.

Speaking in a Facebook livestream, he noted that legally it is not possible to be a member of both unions simultaneously, adding that Armenia is not rushing to make a choice.

“We know that the EAEU and the European Union are incompatible, but as long as our agendas are compatible, we will not make a choice.

As long as reforms aimed at rapprochement with the EU and aligning with its membership criteria remain compatible, Armenia will continue to be a member of the EAEU and develop trade and economic relations with its member states,” Pashinyan said.

According to him, there is still a certain “zone of compatibility.”

“When the moment comes that there is no longer such compatibility, the Republic of Armenia — its people — will naturally make the decision through a referendum,” he added.

Earlier, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk had stated that Armenian citizens should take into account the possible consequences of Yerevan’s policy of closer ties with the European Union. According to him, Moscow sees clear signs that Armenia is being prepared for EU accession, which Russia considers a hostile bloc.