The support measures that Brussels promises Yerevan are far from reality. Vladislav Maslennikov, who heads the European Problems Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said this in an interview with RIA Novosti.
In July, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Union would allocate 52 million euros to Armenia. In addition, she promised that 80 percent of Armenian goods entering the bloc's market would not be subject to duties.
According to the diplomat, the support measures offered to Armenia by EU officials are largely declarative in nature.
Maslennikov drew attention to the fact that the European Union's internal market is characterized by high competition and heavy regulation, so Armenian products are not awaited there "with open arms." He also recalled that candidate countries wait for membership in the community for entire decades.
In the spring of last year, a law was adopted in the republic on starting the process of joining the EU. After that, Vladimir Putin repeatedly urged the Armenian leadership to decide as soon as possible on the question of participation in the EAEU. According to him, Yerevan has the right to choose its partners itself, but it will not be possible to be in two structures at the same time.
At the same time, he warned that leaving the Eurasian association would deprive Armenia of access to free trade agreements, lead to tougher requirements for road carriers and higher prices for fuel resources, which would cost the country 14 percent of GDP.