Lavrov stated that Armenia's membership in Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is incompatible with principles of joining EU
05.02.2026,
16:12
Armenia's membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is incompatible with the principles underlying participation in cooperation and accession to the European Union (EU), stated Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
YEREVAN, February 5. /ARKA/. Armenia's membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is incompatible with the principles underlying participation in cooperation and accession to the European Union (EU), stated Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
"This is your choice, and we will fully respect it. I expect this will be taken into account," Lavrov said Wednesday at a meeting with Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan in Moscow.
He noted that over the past 10 years of EAEU membership, Armenia's gross domestic product has increased more than 2.5 times—from $10.5 billion in 2015 to $26 billion today. "These are just facts; I won't even comment on them," the Russian Foreign Minister emphasized.
According to Lavrov, discussions are underway in Armenia about which integration path is more important: continued participation in the EAEU or transition to EU norms and standards. "We are monitoring these discussions. Our position is not dictated by ideological motives; it is based on economic realities," the Russian minister stated.
Lavrov also stated that Moscow remains Yerevan's main trade and economic partner and intends to responsibly maintain this status. "We want to strengthen this cooperation in every possible way, promote major infrastructure projects and initiatives, taking into account existing experience reflected in the structure of the Armenian economy," he noted.
Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia is moving toward compliance with EU standards while maintaining membership in the EAEU. He added that 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 that will be dictated by the free expression of the will of the Armenian people."
"This is your choice, and we will fully respect it. I expect this will be taken into account," Lavrov said Wednesday at a meeting with Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan in Moscow.
He noted that over the past 10 years of EAEU membership, Armenia's gross domestic product has increased more than 2.5 times—from $10.5 billion in 2015 to $26 billion today. "These are just facts; I won't even comment on them," the Russian Foreign Minister emphasized.
According to Lavrov, discussions are underway in Armenia about which integration path is more important: continued participation in the EAEU or transition to EU norms and standards. "We are monitoring these discussions. Our position is not dictated by ideological motives; it is based on economic realities," the Russian minister stated.
Lavrov also stated that Moscow remains Yerevan's main trade and economic partner and intends to responsibly maintain this status. "We want to strengthen this cooperation in every possible way, promote major infrastructure projects and initiatives, taking into account existing experience reflected in the structure of the Armenian economy," he noted.
Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia is moving toward compliance with EU standards while maintaining membership in the EAEU. He added that 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 that will be dictated by the free expression of the will of the Armenian people."
