YEREVAN, February 11. /TASS/. There is no plan to withdraw from the EAEU, stated Artak Zeynalyan, a representative of the pro-Western civil initiative supporting Armenia’s EU accession, and former Justice Minister, during a parliamentary session broadcast live on local TV channels.
"This bill is intended to initiate integration into the EU, not to dismantle or undermine the EAEU. The goal is not to exit the EAEU or sever ties with it. We aim to explore new markets," Zeynalyan explained.
The Armenian parliament started deliberations on the draft law concerning the EU accession process on Tuesday.
The government approved the initiative on January 9. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that this would not guarantee automatic membership in the union, as the issue would require a referendum. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan noted that the bill was a public initiative which had gathered the required number of signatures.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said that Russia sees the discussion of this bill as the beginning of Armenia’s potential exit from the EAEU. He said that EU membership would be incompatible with the country’s participation in the Eurasian Economic Union.
Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan said that Yerevan had no intention of leaving the EAEU. He believes Armenia should continue strengthening and elevating its relations with the EAEU while also fostering ties with other countries.