President of Russia Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek.
Taking part in the meeting on the Russian side were Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister and Co-chair of the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia Alexei Overchuk, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office and Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov, Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov, Minister of Transport Andrei Nikitin, Minister of Energy Sergei Tsivilev, Head of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor) Sergei Dankvert, General Director of Russian Railways Oleg Belozerov, and Director General of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom Alexei Likhachev.
* * *
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Pashinyan, friends, I am delighted to see you all.
Let me begin with what I consider the most important point: we have consistently advocated, and continue to advocate, the development of friendly, mutually beneficial relations with Armenia, founded upon the principles of strategic partnership and alliance. We proceed from the belief that this serves the fundamental interests of the Armenian people and the fundamental interests of Russia, and – I will not repeat what you and I have noted on numerous occasions – that it is also consonant with the historical roots that bind our two peoples together.
Russia is the republic’s principal trade and economic partner, accounting for roughly 30 percent of its trade, and an investor in Armenia’s economy. In the first half of this year, bilateral trade reached $2.5 billion.
Mutually advantageous projects are being implemented in industry, agriculture, mining, peaceful nuclear energy, transport, and the digital economy. Russian companies are the largest taxpayers to Armenia’s budget, create jobs, transfer modern technology, and strengthen the country’s energy security.
I would also note that you and I have, on several occasions, discussed matters relating to Armenia’s stated intention to join the European Union. We have returned to this subject repeatedly, both by telephone and in person.
You are well aware of Russia’s position: Armenia’s aspiration to join the EU is the natural and legitimate right of the country and its people. Armenia is a sovereign state, and it is for the Armenian people to determine the trajectory of their own development. Nevertheless, this unquestionably creates complications for Armenia’s continued membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, and threatens to erode the advantages the republic enjoys on the EAEU market and to sever established trade links.
At the same time, in over ten years of participating in Eurasian integration processes, Armenia’s GDP has grown by almost 200 percent, from $10.6 billion in 2015 to $29.2 billion at the end of 2025 (at least according to our data). Exports to the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union have increased ten-fold: the EEU market currently accounts for around 36 percent of Armenia’s foreign trade.
Therefore, of course, the choice of the country’s future political and economic course is up to the people of Armenia. Yet, as we said before, it is important to approach the relevant steps in a purely objective manner, based on the realities.
And, I will repeat, we will respect any choice that Armenian people make. The final decision rests with Armenia. But we must adjust our own trade and economic policy in the context of these potential decisions. Our request would be that you reach a decision as soon as possible.
I remember your public statements when you said that it is necessary to hold a referendum on the matter. I supported that position at the most recent EAEU summit. I said directly that Prime Minister Pashinyan had made a public statement, and I asked my colleagues to show their support. The sooner we clarify this matter, the better because we also need a clear picture of our future relations with Armenia, especially in the economic context.
Certain matters – for instance, agricultural product regulation or technical standards – are completely different in the EAEU and the EU. We have been through attempts – back when our relations were more or less civil – to reach an agreement or a compromise with the Europeans, but those attempts were futile. They are rather harsh and stubborn negotiators. We have not found a single solution.
Perhaps one day we will have to do that – align the fundamental interests of our economy with the European ones and find some complementary solutions. I hope these crises eventually subside. But even when they do… We used to have a good relationship with Europe and yet, it was hard to reach an agreement. There will definitely be problems associated with imports of European goods and services to our market via Armenia. There is a thousand problems. We would like to clarify how it will work.
I hope that we will be able to discuss all these matters in a peaceful, friendly and business-like manner.
To be continued.