The open part of the nearly hour-long meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin has ended in Bishkek. After discussing Armenia's EU membership process and EAEU membership, the parties agreed to continue the conversation behind closed doors.
During the meeting, Pashinyan emphasized that the process Armenia has begun towards EU membership is not directed against either Russia or the EAEU.
"This process is not against Russia, it is not against the EAEU. We highly value our relations with Russia, it is truly important for us. We hope for Russia as well. And we must treat these relations with care," Pashinyan stated.
He reaffirmed that he personally and the Armenian government treat relations with Russia with exactly that approach.
Pashinyan also touched upon the law on the launch of the EU accession process, noting that by adopting it, Armenia has effectively abandoned the idea of holding a referendum on EU membership at this stage, since the issue is not yet ripe.
Putin, in turn, stated that the adoption of the law on launching the process of joining another organization, in his assessment, means a declaration of withdrawal from the existing union. The Russian President also noted that Moscow wants to understand Armenia’s further choice as quickly as possible, in the context of the EU and the EAEU.
Pashinyan countered that the Armenian side has studied the legal framework and does not see any violations in the EU accession process towards either Russia or the EAEU. He stressed that Armenia has not declared its withdrawal from the EAEU.
Thus, the positions of the parties on the issue of the EU accession process and the legal assessments of Armenia's membership in the EAEU did not coincide. The open part of the meeting has ended, and Pashinyan and Putin will continue the discussion behind closed doors.
