ArmInfo. Armenia has filed a complaint with the EAEU regarding Russian restrictions. Deputy Economy Minister Tigran Gasparyan announced this in a conversation with journalists, noting that Armenia is actively using existing mechanisms within the EAEU.
He emphasized that the restrictions imposed on Armenia are not consistent with the principles and agreements of the EAEU. "We are fighting to ensure that the EAEU acts in accordance with its principles. And we are trying to use the EAEU's tools to restore them," the deputy minister said.
Gasparyan also announced that discussions regarding the restrictions will take place next week. According to him, Armenia has actively used the existing mechanisms since their introduction. He praised the complaint review process, noting that the prescribed procedures are being consistently implemented, meaning that the EAEU mechanisms are effective.
At the same time, in terms of the sustainable future of the Armenian economy, the Deputy Minister stated that efforts must be made to open new markets.
Responding to a question about the disparate volumes of exports to the EU and the EAEU, the Deputy Minister emphasized that the government's diversification policy is a long-term development, and the results should be assessed in the long term.
As a reminder, since the end of May of this year, authorized Russian authorities have imposed restrictions on the import of products from Armenia as a result of violations uncovered during inspections. The restrictions initially affected flowers, then fresh agricultural produce, fish and fish products, and dairy products. Traditionally, Armenia exported over 80%-90% of these products to the Russian market.
It is worth noting that all of this began after the change in policy by the Armenian authorities. On January 9, 2025, the Armenian government approved a draft law on the beginning of the process of joining the European Union, proposed by the civic initiative "Eurakve." The draft was sent to the Armenian parliament for approval. On March 26, the country's parliament adopted it in the final reading and sent it to the president for signature. The document was signed on April 4 of the same year. Moscow stated that Russia had conveyed to Armenia that simultaneous membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union is impossible. On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking with journalists, suggested that Armenia decide on its membership in the EU and the EAEU as soon as possible, indicating its readiness to "begin a civilized divorce" if necessary. Yerevan responded by noting that it would leave the EAEU whenever it deemed it necessary. On May 29, the heads of four of the five EAEU member states adopted a resolution recommending that Armenia hold a referendum on its continued membership in the EAEU. According to the RA Statistics Committee, foreign trade turnover between Armenia and the EAEU decreased by 18.4% in January-July 2026, amounting to $3.3 billion. Exports decreased by 7.1% to $1.5 billion, while imports fell by 26.1% to $1.8 billion. Trade with the EU increased by 57.2% to $2.2 billion. Exports grew by 70.7% to $591.6 million, while imports increased by 52.7% to $1.6 billion.
