Volodin: Armenia`s withdrawal from the EAEU will cost the Armenian  people dearly

ArmInfo.  A potential exit by Armenia from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and its course toward joining the European Union (EU) could lead to severe economic consequences for the republic, as stated by Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma.

"Pashinyan is using the Eurasian Economic Union as a stepping stone  to transition into the European Union. He is attempting to resolve  all of his problems at the expense of the EAEU—and primarily at the  expense of Russia," Volodin wrote on his Telegram channel.  His  remarks came in response to a statement by Armenian Prime Minister  Nikol Pashinyan, who expressed readiness to compensate local  suppliers for losses incurred due to restrictions on the Russian  market.

According to the State Duma Speaker, "mold dies in the light," a  reality he claims is evidenced by Pashinyan's assertion that he would  "pay for every spoiled pepper" blocked from entering Russia due to  regulatory restrictions.  The head of the State Duma pointed out that  Pashinyan is not being transparent with his own population regarding  the transition to the EU.

"He is concealing from the citizens of Armenia what the country's  exit from the EAEU will actually cost.  Specifically, that gas prices  for the population could nearly quadruple, and the volume of  remittances from Russia—which currently reaches approximately $4  billion annually—will decrease substantially.  Furthermore, Armenian  citizens could lose their current migratory privileges in Russia,  meaning they would require work patents for employment. Additionally,  supplies of Armenian agricultural products, fish, alcohol, and  mineral water to the Russian market could be suspended," Volodin  noted.

In this context, the State Duma Speaker drew a parallel with Ukraine.  He noted that when Ukraine made the decision to integrate with the  EU, the rhetoric focused on growth prospects. In reality, however,  Ukrainian agricultural products were effectively barred from European  markets through the imposition of strict and unfavorable tariff  quotas.

"The exact same fate awaits Armenia. Pashinyan has apparently taken  on a personal commitment to align Armenia with the EU and is now  carrying it out. In doing so, he is attempting to shift all the costs  of this integration onto the EAEU and Russia. It is obvious that he  is not concerned with the fate of the Armenian people or the  country's statehood. In this scenario, he seems to believe this  strategy will allow him to retain personal power. It will come at a  heavy price..." Volodin concluded.