Is the EAEU a benefit or harm for Armenia? Mesrop Manukyan to Papoyan

At a session of a National Assembly committee, Mesrop Manukyan, an MP from the Armenia faction, asked Gevorg Papoyan, the Minister of Economy, whether EAEU membership benefits or harms Armenia.

Manukyan said that MPs from the ruling Civil Contract party have given contradictory assessments of the EAEU in parliament, and he wants a clear answer.

“I want to understand: does the EAEU benefit or harm the Republic of Armenia? If it is harmful, why don’t we freeze our membership? Let’s say that we are freezing it ourselves, put an end to it and be free. Please sum up your thoughts and answer: is there a benefit or not, and if it is harmful, why don’t we leave?” the MP said.

In response, Papoyan said that Armenia joined the EAEU to gain economic benefits, and if the expected benefits do not materialize while certain restrictions are in place, there is reason to reflect. However, he said, the authorities are not currently questioning the further development of Armenia’s EAEU membership.