Armenia cannot be expelled from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), as such a mechanism simply does not exist. Deputy speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia Ruben Rubinyan stated this on Monday during the NA session’s debates on the ratification of a free trade agreement between the EAEU and its member states, on the one hand, and Indonesia, on the other.

Acting Deputy Minister of Economy Narek Hovakimyan, who presented the document, said that after ratification, customs duties on a number of products exported from Armenia will be completely removed or gradually reduced.

MP Agnesa Khamoyan from the opposition "Armenia" Faction of the NA asked what would happen to Armenia's economy in the event of its withdrawal from or expulsion from the EAEU, and whether there was an alternative to the Union's market. Also, she reminded about the approximately 7% decrease in Armenian exports, and asked which part of the existing markets will be able to replace the Indonesian market in the near future.

In response, Hovakimyan noted that Armenia continues to remain a member of the EAEU and intends to make the most of the opportunities arising from its membership in that union. Yerevan is trying to resolve the emerging issues, including the restrictions on the supply of certain Armenian goods to Russia, using the mechanisms provided for within the framework of the EAEU, he added.

At the same time, the acting deputy minister of economy emphasized the need to diversify Armenia’s foreign economic ties.

“Diversification has no alternative. However, scenarios containing certain risks must be discussed. At the moment, the Ministry of Economy and the government [of Armenia] proceed from the fact that we are a member of the EAEU and will continue to work according to that logic,” the official said.

After that, NA deputy speaker Ruben Rubinyan reacted to Khamoyan's remark regarding the possible expulsion of Armenia from the EAEU.

"Armenia cannot be expelled from the EAEU; there simply is no such mechanism," Rubinyan said.