YEREVAN. – When it comes down to it, what did accession into the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU)—which comprises Armenia, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and most recently, Kyrgyzstan—give to Armenia? Haykakan Zhamanak daily has asked this question.

“All the promises that were made by representatives of the [Armenian] authorities vanished during the past 8 months.

“Our exporters’ entrance into the abovementioned ‘170-million[-population] market’ apparently failed during these months of membership in the EEU.

“According to official statistics, exports from Armenia to EEU member Russia fell by 35 percent, as compared to 2014. The reduction of exports to Kazakhstan amounts to 15 percent, to Belarus—38 percent.

“In the meantime, the volume of imports from the EEU countries to Armenia fell by less; that is, the 170-million market—in relative terms—took over our solely 3-million[-population] market,” wrote Haykakan Zhamanak.