Armenia Benefits from EAEU Before EU Integration – Economist (EXCLUSIVE)
06.04.2026,
15:06
The Armenian authorities are currently striving to maximize the benefits of EAEU membership while simultaneously taking steps toward integration with the European Union, according to economist Grant Mikaelyan.
YEREVAN, April 6. /ARKA/. The Armenian authorities are currently striving to maximize the benefits of EAEU membership while simultaneously taking steps toward integration with the European Union, according to economist Hrant Mikaelyan.
"Currently, the Armenian authorities' goals are to maximize the benefits of the EAEU and then attempt to integrate into the EU. If that fails, they will develop a policy toward Turkey," Mikaelyan said in an exclusive interview with ARKA news agency on Friday, responding to a question about Armenia's likelihood of maintaining a balance between the EU and the EAEU in the next two to three years and the country's future prospects in this regard.
According to him, Russia believes Armenia is attempting to advance westward at the expense of Russian resources.
"The Armenian authorities have already made their so-called 'choice' and are moving in that direction. "Any relations with the EU are developing very slowly, and this is coming from the EU, not Armenia. "The EU, for example, is not prepared to accommodate Armenia on visa liberalization," Mikaelyan noted.
He emphasized that this factor is important to consider. "The policy is being implemented very slowly, but that doesn't mean nothing will happen. This course will be implemented," the economist said.
RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan previously stated that Armenia is moving toward compliance with EU standards while maintaining membership in the EAEU. According to him, as long as this is possible, Armenia will remain a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, and when this becomes impossible, "we, together with the citizens of Armenia, will make a decision dictated by the free expression of the will of the Armenian people."
Russian government officials have repeatedly stated that simultaneous membership in the EU and the EAEU is economically incompatible. Recently, Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk stated that negotiations regarding Armenia's accession to the European Union would take many years, should such a possibility arise, and Yerevan would have to choose between the EU and the EAEU. He also urged Armenian businesses to realistically assess their sales prospects in the EU.
"Currently, the Armenian authorities' goals are to maximize the benefits of the EAEU and then attempt to integrate into the EU. If that fails, they will develop a policy toward Turkey," Mikaelyan said in an exclusive interview with ARKA news agency on Friday, responding to a question about Armenia's likelihood of maintaining a balance between the EU and the EAEU in the next two to three years and the country's future prospects in this regard.
According to him, Russia believes Armenia is attempting to advance westward at the expense of Russian resources.
"The Armenian authorities have already made their so-called 'choice' and are moving in that direction. "Any relations with the EU are developing very slowly, and this is coming from the EU, not Armenia. "The EU, for example, is not prepared to accommodate Armenia on visa liberalization," Mikaelyan noted.
He emphasized that this factor is important to consider. "The policy is being implemented very slowly, but that doesn't mean nothing will happen. This course will be implemented," the economist said.
RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan previously stated that Armenia is moving toward compliance with EU standards while maintaining membership in the EAEU. According to him, as long as this is possible, Armenia will remain a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, and when this becomes impossible, "we, together with the citizens of Armenia, will make a decision dictated by the free expression of the will of the Armenian people."
Russian government officials have repeatedly stated that simultaneous membership in the EU and the EAEU is economically incompatible. Recently, Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk stated that negotiations regarding Armenia's accession to the European Union would take many years, should such a possibility arise, and Yerevan would have to choose between the EU and the EAEU. He also urged Armenian businesses to realistically assess their sales prospects in the EU.
