Armenian authorities have key responsibility for explaining consequences of all next steps – Zakharova on European integration

Armenia should realize that the tariff and legal frameworks, on which the interaction with the European Union and the EAEU is built, are mutually exclusive, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in a press briefing, commenting on the beginning of Armenia’s accession process to the European Union.

“The issue is not about political leanings, but about the fact that all legal frameworks and tariff systems, on the basis of which the interaction in the EU and EAEU is built, are mutually exclusive,” she said.

According to Zakharova, one can keep silent about this issue, but this would be disinformation.

“Attempts to avoid voicing this problem, to obscure it and not to see this important nuance represents a denial of reality and, perhaps, to some extent, disinformation of those who propose to make respective decisions,” Zakharova added.

According to her, it is Armenia’s sovereign choice, but the current authorities of the country have a key responsibility to explain the consequences of all further steps.

“When such fateful decisions are made, you have to study public opinion polls and make preparations. You have to be honest. This should be handled by those who call for such decisions inside the country, not those who call from outside,” Zakharova concluded.