Overchuk informs Armenian population about consequences of leaving EAEU — Konstantin Tasits

Speaking with Alpha News, South Caucasus expert and political scientist Konstantin Tasits commented on remarks by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk regarding the sharp decline in trade turnover between Russia and Armenia, as well as the potential consequences of Armenia’s shift toward European integration.

“It seems to me that Overchuk is essentially informing the population of Armenia about what will happen if Yerevan chooses to leave the Eurasian Economic Union and join the European Union. I have not seen a sober analysis of this scenario from the authorities in the Armenian information field. They either believe that they will continue to receive benefits from Russia or that Europe will compensate for any problems that arise.

Overchuk simply describes how the situation will actually develop, since both the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union have customs agreements and a customs market. Accordingly, if Armenia leaves the EAEU, Armenian producers will have to pay the European trade duty—just like any European country that continues to export something to the European market. The same applies to all other aspects related to air travel and transport communications,” the expert said.

According to Tasits, Armenian citizens must decide on their political and economic preferences.

“The Armenian people need to choose what they consider more promising: participation in the Eurasian Economic Union or relinquishing existing benefits in favor of reorienting toward the European market,” Konstantin Tasits concluded.