Pashinyan criticizes EAEU over unfulfilled integration principles

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has criticized the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), saying that its founding principles are not being fully implemented in practice, AzerNEWS reports.

He made these remarks at a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in expanded format.

According to Pashinyan, restrictions and administrative barriers continue to hinder the free movement of capital, goods, services, and labor within the bloc, reducing business predictability and undermining the effectiveness of regional economic integration.

"Unfortunately, in practice, these principles are not fully implemented. Certain restrictions and administrative measures continue to hinder the full functioning of the common market, reducing the predictability of business conditions and the effectiveness of integration processes," Pashinyan noted.

The prime minister stressed that Armenia provides equal and non-discriminatory conditions for companies from all EAEU member states and believes the same approach should be applied consistently across the entire union.

"We need to promptly remove emerging barriers, prevent the deterioration of trade and economic relations within the EAEU, minimize reputational and business risks, and consistently strengthen mutual trust," he emphasized.

Pashinyan also added that a number of the EAEU’s strategic goals have not yet been fully achieved, so it is necessary to focus not only on new initiatives but also on the practical implementation of decisions that have already been adopted.