Eurasian Economic Union Considers Suspending Armenia Over EU Membership Bid
Armenia's EU Aspirations and EAEU Response
Concerns Over Economic Security
MOSCOW, May 29 (Reuters) - The Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will consider suspending Armenia later this year out of concerns its pursuit of European Union membership jeopardises the union's economic security, according to a joint statement published on Friday.
The leaders of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan said that Armenia's westward integration posed "significant risks to the economic security" to the EAEU, and that its continued membership would be reviewed at the group's next meeting in December.
Call for Referendum
The statement also called on Yerevan to hold a popular referendum on its EU membership aspirations, and to include an option of staying in the Moscow-led group, founded in 2015.
Russian Pressure on Armenia
Russia, with the EAEU's largest economy by far, has been dialing up the pressure on Armenia in recent weeks, slapping temporary restrictions on agricultural imports and threatening to halt supplies of cheap Russian oil products and gas to the South Caucasus country, upon which it heavily relies.
Upcoming Parliamentary Election
Armenia holds a parliamentary election on June 7 pitting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who has brought the country closer to the West, against an array of mostly pro-Russian opposition parties. Recent polls show Pashinyan's Civil Contract party in the lead with around 30% support.
Compatibility Issues with EAEU Membership
Moscow has repeatedly said that Yerevan's membership in the EAEU is incompatible with its aspirations towards Brussels. Armenia passed a law last year officially launching its EU accession process.
Recent EAEU Summit and Armenia's Representation
The joint statement was adopted following a meeting earlier on Friday of EAEU country leaders in Astana.
Pashinyan did not attend the summit, citing his ongoing election campaign, with Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan representing Armenia.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Lucy Papachristou; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
