Armenian leaders keep believing in European miracles: Andrey Klimov

Andrey Klimov, deputy chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, commented to Alpha News on the prospects of Armenia’s European integration and the possible consequences of Yerevan’s current foreign policy course.

“Our leader is warning them that, on one hand, they have every sovereign right to move from one economic community to another. On the other hand, they must understand that this transition needs to be carried out in a civilized manner, in accordance with the legal norms of both economic unions and taking into account the specific practical issues that specialists need to resolve. Pashinyan himself was the initiator of all these historical, economic, and political zigzags. And now the whole issue has sharply escalated due to the fact that there are elections there. Who will win, as they say, we will find out in June,” Klimov said.

In the senator’s view, the current Armenian leaders continue to believe in some kind of European miracles, but no prosperity awaits them.

“I want to remind you that the Armenian side actually passed a law stating that they intend to join something or other. Is a law not an action? It is. I have seen all of this before back in 2013, in Ukraine. I traveled there and saw how it all unfolded. There too it was this way and that way, and nothing will happen, and everything will be fine. And it ended the way it ended. So it is better to give a warning in advance. And, incidentally, it was not only our leader who gave this warning, all the leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union countries expressed themselves quite clearly on the matter. And yet the current Armenian leaders continue to believe in some kind of European miracles. Although the way things are heading, if they obtain so-called visa-free travel, able-bodied young people will leave the country, and a very bleak fate awaits all those who remain. That is all. No prosperity of any kind awaits them. There are also reports that Europeans are looking to quietly send their unwanted migrants to Armenian territory. I don’t think the Armenian people will appreciate that, but these things are being hidden from them. That is why our leader clearly and plainly explained the position: we are ready to accept the corresponding decision, but it would be better for everyone to understand right away that after this, Armenia will end up where it wanted to end up. It is one thing when we work together and there is a prospect. But when there is no prospect, how do we work together? With their law, they have effectively cast enormous doubt on that prospect,” Klimov concluded.