YEREVAN. – Following the announcement on the wish to join the Customs Union, the Armenian authorities have adopted a “new line,” in relations with Europe, which FM Edward Nalbandian is attempting to move forward in the talks with the European colleagues, 168 Zham daily reports.     

“Specifically, at all his meetings Nalbandian is urging the European diplomats and officials not to be too harsh with respect to Armenia’s decision of accession to the Customs Union and not to worsen relations with Armenia because of that.      

“The Armenian authorities are asking the Europeans ‘not to turn [their] backs’ on Armenia [and are] threatening that in that case, Armenia will pass under Russia’s control once and for all.

“And at the meetings with the Europeans, Edward Nalbandian is presenting all the details of the Russian pressures and the tragic consequences of resisting them.  

“These moves by the [Armenian] authorities pursue one objective: to convince the Europeans to sign at least one symbolic document with Armenia in November [that is, during the Eastern Partnership summit to be convened in Vilnius, Lithuania], which will enable to at least state that the ‘and-and’ policy [of Armenia] continues,” 168 Zham writes.     

To note, following the talks that were held on September 3 in Moscow between Armenian and Russian Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin, Sargsyan had announced that Armenia plans to join the Customs Union and subsequently engage in the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union. Aside from Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan likewise are members in the Customs Union.