The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to the Armenian parliamentary committee's approval of a bill to initiate the country's accession to the European Union. The ministry emphasized the strategic nature of Russian-Armenian relations and the incompatibility of Eurasian economic integration with EU membership.
In an official statement, the ministry highlighted record-breaking figures in bilateral trade and economic cooperation in 2024. According to Armstat, Armenia's trade volume with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) increased by 68.3% over the first 11 months of 2024, reaching $11.9 billion and accounting for over 42% of the country's total foreign trade turnover. Meanwhile, trade with the EU decreased by 14.1% to $2.1 billion, representing only 7.5% of Armenia's overall trade.
The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that Russian companies remain Armenia's largest taxpayers and employers, and Armenia's participation in Eurasian integration has significantly contributed to its GDP growth in recent years. The ministry also stressed the absence of a "hidden agenda" that could negatively impact Armenia's security or economic well-being.
In conclusion, the Russian side expressed hope for the continued development of bilateral relations and the implementation of key joint projects in the coming year.
Earlier, BMG reported that Armenia’s parliamentary committee on European integration approved a legislative initiative to begin the country’s EU accession process. The bill, which had previously been endorsed by the Armenian government, will soon be included in the National Assembly's four-day session agenda.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in supporting the initiative, clarified that the bill does not imply automatic EU membership.
