Moscow (EFE).- Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that Armenia must clarify «as soon as possible» whether it intends to join the European Union, which Russia considers incompatible with Armenia’s continued membership in the post-Soviet blocs led by Moscow.
«The sooner Armenia clarifies the issue of EU accession, the better. Moscow needs to understand how to develop relations from now on,” Putin told Pashinyan during their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan.
Putin drew attention to the Armenian parliament’s approval of a law that paves the way for future negotiations on the former Soviet republic’s possible accession to the EU.
According to Putin, the accession «effectively» symbolizes Armenia’s exit from the Eurasian Economic Union, a bloc led by Moscow and comprising other post-Soviet economies.
The Russian leader confirmed that Armenia’s desire to join the EU is the country’s and its people’s “sovereign right,” yet he reiterated that it seems inconsistent with Yerevan’s continued membership in other blocs.
Putin insisted that the Armenian government hold a referendum and ask the people what they want. «Well, then, make it, and we’ll put this issue to rest,» he said.
However, the Russian leader noted that Russian companies operating in Armenia and providing jobs to the local population make the largest tax contributions to the Armenian budget. He also pointed out that Armenia’s GDP has nearly tripled since joining the Eurasian Economic Union.
Pashinyan stated that in light of the new situation in the Caucasus region, relations between the two countries require a “renewed” approach.
Recently, the Armenian leader stated that Yerevan can no longer consider itself bound by strategic alliance ties with Moscow due to the deterioration of relations between the two countries in recent years.
In the past, Armenia has lamented Russia’s lack of support during the armed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and the subsequent incursions by Azerbaijani troops into Armenian territory, leading Yerevan to seek new partners, including in the military sphere.
Nevertheless, Armenian authorities insist that they do not wish to fall out with Russia, which is home to one of the largest Armenian diaspora communities abroad.EFE
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