ArmInfo. I don't think gas prices will change because our partners need Armenia to remain in the CSTO and the EAEU. Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan stated this during a briefing on the sidelines of the 8th Congress of the Civil Contract Party (CCP).
"And if Armenia doesn't receive these benefits, then why should it remain in this union? The process of joining another union will begin, at a more accelerated pace," he said.
At the same time, the minister noted that Armenia's economy hasn't experienced "astronomical growth" since joining the EAEU, noting that economic growth between 2013 and 2016 was between 1-2%.
The minister linked subsequent positive developments not to the EAEU, but to Armenia's economic development. Papoyan cited Georgia, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan as examples, which cooperate with Russia without being members of the EAEU. "Armenia contributes greatly to the EAEU, including through the transit of goods needed by the Union," the minister said, asking not to downplay Armenia's importance in the EAEU.
Summing up, he emphasized that nothing in the world is free, and the $185 price for gas for Armenia is not set "for show."
It should be noted that, according to the RA Statistics Committee, foreign trade turnover between Armenia and the EAEU countries decreased by 36.9% in 2025, exceeding $8 billion. Export volumes also fell by 5% to $3.2 billion, while imports declined by 48.5% to $4.8 billion.
Armenia's GDP growth by the end of 2025 was 7.2%, reaching over 11.3 trillion drams ($29.7 billion).
