“Breaking relations with the Russian Federation will be a disaster for Armenia.” Kocharian

“The stakes are now much higher than just parliamentary elections. we are talking about Armenia’s foreign policy course: is Armenia leaving Russia or is it maintaining a certain balanced policy? The consequences are very serious, because it will affect Armenia’s economy, security, that is, the package is very, very serious.”

Meanwhile, today Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced again that they are significantly developing and emphasizing relations with the Russian Federation.

“Our relations with Russia are in the stage of transformation. I consider that stage as positive because, yes, under the conditions of this new situation, we are establishing new relations with Russia, and I am sure that we will succeed in this,” Prime Minister Pashinyan stated.

The Prime Minister stated that until “Armenia has officially applied for membership in the European Union or is very close to the status of a candidate for membership in the European Union, it is illogical to hold any referendum.”

A few days ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of the other EAEU member states, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, in a joint statement urged Yerevan to hold a referendum on joining the European Union or staying in the Eurasian Economic Union as soon as possible.

The Prime Minister announced today in response. “We are working in the Eurasian Economic Union and we will continue to work until the moment when making another choice between the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union will be inevitable, and the decision, naturally, should be made by the people of the Republic of Armenia through a referendum.”

As for when the referendum will take place, the Prime Minister said. “Until the moment when Armenia has not officially applied for membership in the European Union or is not very close to the status of a candidate for the membership of the European Union, it is illogical to hold any referendum. Why, because there is no justification, the balance is not formed so that we can present the people with a choice to go this way or the other. Today, that choice is theoretical and putting the theoretical choice to the polls is not very reasonable and correct and is not justified.”

Earlier, the leaders of 4 EAEU member states emphasized in the statement delivered to Armenia that this December, during the next EAEU summit, the issue of Armenia’s membership in that structure will be on the table for discussion, the Eurasian Intergovernmental Commission will report on the possible consequences of suspending Armenia’s membership.