Фото: t.me/pul_1
A statement concerning Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) was signed following a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Astana. Aliaksandr Lukashenka shared details with journalists in Astana, BelTA reported.
According to him, the issue was discussed during a closed session of the council.
“We all stated that we do not want Armenia to leave our Eurasian Union. At the same time, as Vladimir Vladimirovich said in his remarks, we respect Armenia’s choice. I added right there that we respect the choice of the Armenian people. If the people make such a decision and agree to leave the union they are currently part of and join the European Union at some point, we cannot oppose the will of the Armenian people,” he said.
The statement also records support for the Armenian leadership’s intention to hold a referendum on the issue.
“And then we added to the statement that we support the desire of Armenia’s leadership, which has declared this intention, to hold a referendum on this issue,” Lukashenka added, saying that if the Armenian people decide against remaining in the EAEU, that decision will be accepted.
In his view, the Armenian people should clearly understand “what they gain and what they lose.”
“The President of Russia has promised to explain this in detail to the international community, to anyone willing to listen,” Lukashenka said. “He will once again explain in detail — Russian specialists have prepared this information for him — what it means to leave the Eurasian Union, of which Armenia is currently a member, and join the European Union.”
Lukashenka also referred to the time frame for joining the European Union.
“Considering Ukraine, which has long sought membership, and, even more importantly, considering Turkey, which has been waiting in line to join the European Union for, I believe, 25 or 30 years,” he said.