Alexey Overchuk: EAEU, EU are incompatible; arrival of extra-regional  players in Armenia will have consequences

ArmInfo.The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union (EU) are incompatible; arrival of extra-regional players in Armenia will have consequences. As reported by TASS, this was stated by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk within the framework of the "Primakov Readings" 10th International Scientific and Expert Forum.  

"Of course, speaking about Armenia, it is impossible, it would be wrong, as they say, to close our eyes to the fact that today, as they say, the political vector of this country is increasingly leaning towards the West.  We must also understand that the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union are incompatible things. And the benefits that some country receives from closeness to Russia, this must also be perceived as the price we pay for our security and strategic depth, so the arrival of some extra-regional players there will, of course, have consequences," he noted.

Overchuk noted that Russia is interested in a stable Armenia, in good trade relations, "in good brotherly relations". He recalled that, by decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian side promptly came to the aid of Armenia after the flooding in the Lori and Tavush regions and restored rail traffic in record time.

The railways of Russia and Georgia actively supported the "South Caucasus Railway" company in overcoming the consequences of the flood. In particular, 300 employees of the South Caucasus Railway were involved in the work, and on the instructions of the management of Russian Railways, 35 specialists and managers of various profiles were sent to assist the South Caucasus Railway - track engineers, surveyors, and machine operators. They were involved in the most problematic damaged sections of the infrastructure and led the restoration teams on their own initiative. Georgian railway workers also provided rolling stock and specialists to carry out the restoration work. In particular, these are 30 cars, of which 15 are hopper-dosers, 15 dump cars (dump cars of various types) and a diesel locomotive, as well as 10 mechanics to work with the restoration rolling stock. 

According to the Statistical Committee, foreign trade turnover between Armenia and the EAEU in January- April 2024 increased 3-fold, to $6.4 billion. The volume of mutual trade between Armenia and the EU during the reporting period decreased by 24.3% to $695.5 million.