Overchuk: EAEU and EU are incompatible. Yerevan will have to make a  choice

ArmInfo. Armenia's accession to the European Union (EU) is incompatible with the country's membership  in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). If connections with the EAEU are severed, Armenia could face increased energy costs and reduced exports opportunities, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk  told reporters.

<The EAEU and the EU are incompatible. Both unions imply the absence  of customs borders and freedom of movement of goods, services,  capital and labor, he said, according to TASS.  It is impossible to  imagine that these two unions will converge at some point. Therefore,  the draft law <On Launching the Process of Joining the European  Union> being considered in the Republic of Armenia puts this country  before a choice>. The Russian Deputy Prime Minister noted that "if  Armenia cuts ties with the EAEU, it will lead to higher energy and  food prices  and a significant drop of 70-80% in Armenian exports."   "As a result, ordinary people will lose their income, their jobs, and  will pay more for the most basic necessities. In return, they will  most likely receive a visa-free regime, and Armenia will face  depopulation," he added.

<It is now becoming evident that membership in the EAEU is a  privilege,> Overchuk noted and added that joining the EU is like  buying a ticket for the "Titanic" given the economic and social  problems of the organization.  As the Deputy Prime Minister pointed  out, if the authors of the bill regarding Armenia's accession to the  EU <were completely honest with both the people of Armenia and other  countries in the EAEU, they could have immediately added an article  stating that the Republic of Armenia would cease its membership in  the Eurasian Economic Union once the law comes into effect>. <After  all, why remain in the EAEU if you no longer wish to be a part of it?  If the question is not framed in this manner, then it implies that  the authors of the bill themselves are fully aware of the  consequences of Armenia's withdrawal from our union,> he concluded.   On January 9, the Armenian government approved the draft law of the  Republic of Armenia <On Launching the Process of Joining the European  Union>.