Tunyan: Armenia's EAEU membership losing purpose amid export limits to Russia

Armenia's membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) loses its purpose if restrictions on exports of Armenian goods to Russia remain in place, said Babken Tunyan, Deputy Head of Economic Affairs Committee at the Armenian parliament and member of the ruling Civil Contract party, Report informs via Interfax.

Tunyan stressed that Armenia's main benefit from joining the EAEU was access to a large market: "Before 2013, Armenia had no plans to join the EAEU, but the decision was made with the argument that a huge market would open to us. If now Russia's market is closed and EAEU rules tie our hands, then the question arises as to whether continued membership still makes sense."

"If we are indeed facing deliberate political sanctions, Armenia's membership in the EAEU loses any meaning. This is not a rhetorical question," he added.

Since May 22, Russia has imposed restrictions on imports from Armenia, starting with flowers, then alcoholic beverages from leading Armenian companies, followed by tomatoes, cucumbers, and strawberries.

Starting June 2, Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor) suspended imports of cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, grapes, as well as live fish and fish products from Armenia.