Events

Lukashenko reveals details of EAEU statement on Armenia’s position

ASTANA, 29 May (BelTA) – A statement concerning Armenia was signed at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Astana, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko told journalists following the EAEU summit, BelTA has learned.

One of the questions addressed to the Belarusian leader concerned Armenia’s position after the country’s leadership expressed a desire to remain in the EAEU and join the European Union.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said the issue had been discussed behind closed doors during the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council and that a corresponding statement had been signed. “We all agreed that we do not want Armenia to leave our Eurasian Union. As Vladimir Putin said in his speech, we respect Armenia’s choice. I added that we respect the choice of the Armenian people. If the people decide to leave the union they belong to and eventually join the European Union, we cannot oppose the will of the Armenian people,” the Belarusian president said.

He added that the statement also included support for the Armenian proposal to hold a referendum on the issue. “We added that we support the desire of Armenia’s leadership, which raised this issue, to hold a referendum,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The referendum, he stressed, should be conducted honestly, openly and democratically. If the Armenian people ultimately decide against remaining in the EAEU, that decision would be accepted.

The Belarusian president said Armenia’s leadership and citizens should clearly understand both the benefits and potential losses of such a move. “The president of Russia promised to explain in detail to the international community.  He will tell you in detail once again (Russian experts have prepared this information for him) what it means to leave the Eurasian Union, and join the European Union.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed to examples of countries that have waited years to join the EU, saying this factor should be taken into account by Armenians when making such a decision.“Take Ukraine, which has long sought membership, and Türkiye, which has been waiting for 25 or 30 years to join the European Union,” the Belarusian leader added.

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