Pashinyan Asks Putin to Resolve Armenian Export Issues and Explains Armenia's Stance on the EU
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a telephone conversation today at the initiative of the Armenian side. A key topic of discussion was the difficulties surrounding the supply of Armenian products to the Russian market.
According to the Armenian government, Pashinyan stated that the current restrictions on the import of Armenian goods are inconsistent with bilateral agreements between Yerevan and Moscow, as well as with the rules of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). He asked Putin to help resolve this issue.
Another topic of conversation was the joint statement by the leaders of four EAEU countries, adopted on May 29. The statement mentioned the possibility of holding a referendum in Armenia on the question of European Union membership. Pashinyan explained to the Russian president that such a scenario is currently purely theoretical. According to him, a referendum could only take place if Armenia were to first officially apply for EU membership.
At the same time, the Armenian prime minister emphasized that Yerevan intends to discuss all emerging issues with Moscow through an open, friendly, and partnership-based dialogue.
The conversation took place against the backdrop of ongoing tensions in relations between the two countries. Since late May, Russia has been gradually imposing restrictions on the import of various Armenian goods—ranging from flowers and mineral water to wine, brandy, vegetables, fruit, fish, and dairy products.
