For EAEU members, “the situation is unacceptable” when Armenia enshrines in its legislation its intention to join the EU, “while continuing to enjoy all the benefits and advantages of membership in the Eurasian Economic Union.” In this regard, Moscow “does not quite understand” why the Armenian leadership is in no hurry to hold a referendum on joining these unions, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said.

“As you know, during the session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council held in Astana on May 29, the leaders of all four states I mentioned expressed concern about the risks threatening the economic security of the Eurasian Economic Union member states; in particular, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Belarus,” Mikhail Galuzin said in a special interview with RTVI television.

According to him, by December, “experts will study both the economic and legal aspects of the consequences of a possible termination of Armenia’s participation in the EAEU.”

The Russian deputy foreign minister recalled that in a joint statement, the presidents of the aforesaid four EAEU member states “expressed their support for holding this referendum in the near future, since according to Armenian legislation, holding a referendum is a necessary condition for Armenia’s membership in supranational integration structures.”

“That is why, to be honest, we do not quite understand why Armenia’s leadership is hesitating to ask the country’s residents about their position on this extremely important issue for them. Probably, I do not exclude that there are some conjunctural considerations behind such a lack of haste, right?” the Russian deputy foreign minister commented on the referendum topic.

According to the RTVI’s interlocutor, for the EAEU members “the situation is unacceptable when Armenia officially declares and legislates its so-called European aspirations, while at the same time continuing to enjoy all the benefits and advantages of membership in the Eurasian Economic Union.”

“I do not agree with you. In my opinion, the law adopted in Armenia in April last year is ‘on the start of the process of accession to the European Union.’ What else do we and you need to record that the process of Armenia’s accession to the European Union has begun? A special law has been adopted on this subject. And I don’t see any other comment here,” said the Russian deputy foreign minister, in response to the remark that Armenia has not yet submitted an official application for EU membership and does not have candidate status.

“In general, the question of what specific actions have been taken is not of principle. What is of principle is that there is a law adopted by the parliament [of Armenia] and signed by the country’s president. And there are practical steps aimed at Armenia’s rapprochement with the European Union,” Mikhail Galuzin concluded.