The Armenia's initiative to start the process of membership in the European Union (EU) will not be discussed at the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting to be held, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said, RIA Novosti reports.

Asked whether Armenia's wish to integrate into the EU would be discussed in the aforesaid meeting, Overchuk said that the agenda of this was already been approved, and "these matters will not be raised here."

He added that Armenia plays an active role and acts constructively in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

"As I have repeatedly said, Armenia is the main beneficiary of the EAEU. Over the past year, trade amounted to $12 billion, which is several times higher than the amount of Armenia's trade with the EU. At the same time, trade with the EAEU countries is growing, while with the EU it is decreasing, which better characterizes the real state of the economy,” said the Russian deputy PM.

Also, he emphasized that the beginning of Armenia’s EU membership will mean the beginning of its exit from the EAEU.

“The solution here is obvious: opening markets with the European Union will mean closing markets with the Eurasian Economic Union. Otherwise, our producers in the Eurasian Economic Union will suffer... This is obvious. The zeroing of import customs rates with the EU will mechanically mean a return to customs and customs tariffs with the EAEU... No one should have any illusions here,” Overchuk noted.

The next meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council will be held on Friday in Almaty, Kazakhstan.