Putin to Pashinyan: Make the decision as soon as possible

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, where they were attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of State Summit.

The meeting addressed the recent rise in tensions in Armenian-Russian relations, as well as Yerevan's goal of joining the European Union (EU) and Armenia's membership in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

At the beginning of the meeting, Putin stated that Armenia's goal of joining the EU is the country's legitimate right, while noting that this choice could create problems for Armenia's EAEU membership.

"We ask that you make your decision as soon as possible"

While stating that they would respect any decision the Armenian people make, Putin said that following a potential EU membership decision, Russia would need to reorganize its trade and economic policies with Armenia. "We will respect any choice the Armenian people make. Whatever Armenia decides, that is how it will be. However, we need to reorganize our trade and economic policies in line with these potential decisions, and we ask that you make this decision as soon as possible," Putin said.

Recalling Pashinyan's previous statements regarding the need for a referendum in Armenia on EU membership, Putin stated that he supports this stance. "I remember you publicly stating that a referendum on this issue is necessary. I also supported this position of yours at the last EAEU summit," Putin said.

"We also need to understand how we will develop our relations"

Emphasizing that making the decision as early as possible is important for Moscow, Putin said, "The sooner we decide, the better. Because we also need to understand how we will develop our relations with Armenia, especially in the economic sphere."

Putin argued that the adoption of a law in Armenia to initiate the EU accession process would mean a declaration of intent to leave the EAEU, and said they should discuss this matter calmly.

Pashinyan: "We place great value on our relations with Russia"

Pashinyan, for his part, reiterated that Armenia has no intention of leaving the EAEU. The Armenian Prime Minister pointed out that the EAEU's founding documents do not contain a procedure for a member country to be expelled from the union by other members, and that a decision to leave membership can only be made by the country concerned. Stating that relations with Russia are of great importance to Armenia, Pashinyan said, "We place great value on our relations with Russia. We hope that these relations are also important for Russia."

"We are not yet at the referendum stage for EU membership"

Stating that Armenia has not yet reached a stage where a referendum can be held on EU membership, Pashinyan explained that the reason for this is that there is not yet a concrete option in the country that can be presented to the public as an alternative to EU membership.

According to Pashinyan, the Armenian people will only be able to make a decision on this issue when a concrete alternative to EU membership emerges.

Upon this, Putin stated that there must be a choice before the public, saying, "Give the people a real choice and let's close the matter. Asking people 'What do you want, this or that?' is the simplest thing." The meeting then continued behind closed doors.

"We need to re-evaluate our relations"

Sharing on his social media account after the meeting, Pashinyan described his meeting with Putin as "very good." Pashinyan said they agreed to continue a "sincere and constructive dialogue" with Putin, which is expected to continue during his upcoming visit to Moscow.

While emphasizing that Armenian-Russian relations are "extremely important" for both countries, the Armenian Prime Minister said there is a need to re-evaluate relations due to changing conditions.

"I believe that as a result of this re-evaluation, relations will become better, more constructive, mutually more beneficial, and warmer," Pashinyan said.

News Source: İHA