YEREVAN. – The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) accession has brought big dividends for Armenia, despite the sharp criticism being voiced today against this Union, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Ivan Volinkin told RFE/RL Armenian service. 

“All this criticism against the Eurasian Economic Union is totally unfounded,” he added. “The results are, especially commodity turnover between Armenia and Russia has increased in the first months of the current year.”

As per Volinkin, Russian authorities have repeatedly stated that, instead of Western goods, larges volumes of goods will be imported to the Russian market from the EAEU member countries, especially agricultural products from Armenia.

“It is unequivocal that the exports of Armenian agricultural products have recorded a huge growth last year,” the Russian diplomat noted. “It’s just that Armenia is a small country, and it can’t completely fill the Russian market.” 

Reflecting on the kilometers of queues of trucks at the Russian-Georgian border, the ambassador assured: “A decision was made just recently that a special line should be set aside for Armenia.” 

Ivan Volinkin also informed that some works are underway with respect to the railway linking Russia to Armenia—and which passes through Abkhazia—, and that this railway, which is very important to Armenia, may be reopened in the future.