Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has refused to attend the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) meeting in Astana, scheduled for May 28-29. Pashinyan claims to have informed Putin and Tokaev about his decision. In his place, the country will be represented at the summit by one of his deputies.
The official explained that he will not participate in the summit due to the electoral campaign ahead of the parliamentary elections on June 7 and the military parade scheduled for May 28, according to The Moscow Times.
The decision was announced against the backdrop of a speech by Vladimir Putin following the Victory Day parade held in Moscow, which Pashinyan was absent from. The Russian official stated that Yerevan should organize a referendum on joining the European Union and leaving the Eurasian Economic Union, reminding of Ukraine’s fate in the context of pro-Western ambitions.
“We confuse interstate relations with marriage. Armenia is guided by interstate logic in its interstate relations. We are full members of the Eurasian Union. And as long as we are members of the EAEU, we fully participate in all decision-making processes”, Pashinyan commented on the Russian leader’s statement.
The leader from Baku emphasized that he has respect for Russia, but at the same time his country will deepen relations with the EU and democratic reforms, noting that relations with Moscow are currently at the stage of inevitable transformations and that the authorities will continue to act in the interests of the country.