Парламент Армении. Фото: facebook.com/parliament.am
During a question-and-answer session with journalists at the Eurasian Economic Union summit in Astana, Aliaksandr Lukashenka commented on Armenia’s course toward European Union membership and urged the Armenian people to “think carefully” before taking such a step, “so as not to repeat what happened in Ukraine.”
He questioned promises by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan about the benefits of closer ties with the EU.
“Recently I heard Pashinyan say that pipelines will pass through Armenia and that they will be paid in gas. There will be gas and a lot of money. Well, listen, when that will happen is still a question. And secondly, people do not delve into the details. Where exactly will these pipelines come from? I would like to know why he is misleading his people. What pipelines? Where will they come from and who will provide this gas? And what money are we talking about? You speak about money? Today Russia supplies Armenia with natural gas duty-free. I may be mistaken, but it is around $150–160 per 1,000 cubic metres. In the European Union, natural gas costs $550–650 per 1,000 cubic metres, six times more expensive. That is just natural gas — I am not talking about anything else. What kind of benefit is that? If we are talking about money. That is why we are not putting pressure on the people,” he said.
According to Lukashenka, Pashinyan’s statements about gas pipelines and transit revenues are aimed at producing an electoral effect ahead of Armenia’s National Assembly elections, scheduled for June 7.
“Moreover, we understand that this is a political game. Elections are tomorrow — on June 6 or 7 in Armenia. Naturally, all of this is being spun for the elections. But the Armenian leadership is making a mistake by acting this way. It amounts to humiliating the Eurasian Economic Union and its member states. Everyone unanimously agreed with that. The deputy prime minister was there when all of this was said,” he said.
Lukashenka said Armenia could repeat Ukraine’s fate.
“Therefore, Armenians need to be very careful, and the people should, God forbid, avoid repeating what happened in Ukraine. That is exactly how it started in Ukraine. You remember that. Armenians have only recently emerged from a war and should not find themselves in another difficult situation because of this. There is no need to rush. They simply need to think. People must be wise. Listen, this is beneficial to someone. They came, gathered some people together. You know who was there from Europe. They made a whole host of promises. Although we did not hear those promises; all we heard were condemnations — of Belarus and Russia, saying we are this and that. Of course, we are not perfect, what can I say. But they should look at themselves as well. Therefore, before taking such a step, the Armenian people need to think very seriously. That is the only thing I am urging them to do. If the people express their opinion, we will accept it,” he said.
The statement comes amid increasingly sharp signals from Moscow toward Yerevan. Russia has threatened to denounce its agreement on duty-free gas supplies if Armenia continues its course toward European integration. On May 29, the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia signed a joint statement stressing the need for a referendum in Armenia on a choice between the EU and the EAEU and instructed officials to prepare a report on the possible consequences of suspending Armenia’s membership in the bloc. In recent days, Russia has recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations.