Armenia`s membership in EAEU extremely important for country`s  economy - Samvel Karapetyan 

ArmInfo. In the context of global economic and geopolitical challenges, Armenia's membership in the EAEU is extremely important for the stability of the country's economy. This is stated in a statement by the President of the  Russian Tashir Group of Companies Samvel Karapetyan.

According to him, representatives of the Armenian business community  of the Russian Federation are deeply concerned about the discussions  regarding Armenia's possible withdrawal from the Eurasian Economic  Union. The businessman recalled that almost half of Armenia's foreign  trade turnover is with the EAEU countries.

Karapetyan pointed out the negative consequences of this step. In  particular, customs duties will be introduced, which may complicate  the export of Armenian goods to the EAEU countries, including Russia,  and lead to a sharp decrease in their competitiveness. "This will  also affect the investment climate, given that Russia is the main  investor in Armenia," the businessman emphasized.

Karapetyan also noted that Armenian citizens working in the EAEU  countries enjoy preferential conditions, and leaving the Union will  complicate the situation and may lead to a reduction in money  transfers to Armenia.

Karapetyan also paid special attention to the issue of energy  security of the state. "Today, it is extremely important to focus on  issues of the country's security, including by increasing economic  stability and competitiveness, and not to put political ambitions  above economic interests. We can see examples of the consequences of  such an approach in the situation in Georgia, where political  decisions negatively affected the country's stability," said Samvel  Karapetyan.

The issue of the country's withdrawal from the EAEU has recently  become relevant in Armenia. Despite the statements of officials,  including the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia Gevork  Papoyan, that this issue is not on the authorities' agenda,  nevertheless, in Armenia they are increasingly talking about the  possibility of the country's withdrawal from the EAEU.