Armenia to leave CSTO and EAEU if Russia raises gas prices - RA NA  speaker

ArmInfo. If Russia decides to raise gas prices, Armenia will respond by withdrawing from the CSTO, the EAEU, and other organizations.

At a briefing with journalists during the eighth extraordinary  congress of the ruling Civil Contract party, Armenian Parliament  Speaker Alen Simonyan commented on Russian President Vladimir Putin's  statement that "Russia sells gas to Armenia at a significantly lower  price than the current price of this fuel in Europe."

Simonyan noted that such talk is nothing new. "If such a decision is  made-raising gas prices-Armenia will, in turn, make its own decision  and withdraw from the CSTO, the EAEU, and other organizations," the  Speaker of the Armenian Parliament stated. However, Simonyan believes  it won't come to that. He noted that after this statement, another  meeting took place between the two leaders-a working meeting, an  effective one, where Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan  presented the country's position. The Speaker of the Armenian  Parliament noted that for him, this conversation and process had a  positive side.  Simonyan explained that this refers to the Russian  president's statement about "pro-Russian political forces in  Armenia." According to him, from now on, "these forces" can no longer  claim that they have no connection with Russia. "We're tired of  leaders being appointed from outside. Essentially, it was openly  stated: these are my 'people,' can they also participate (in the  elections - ed.). And the Prime Minister responded by declaring that  there is the Armenian Constitution, which defines these borders;  otherwise, Armenia is a free country, and its people will make their  own choice. Previously, they said, 'Moscow gave the go-ahead.' Now,  in Armenia, there is only one 'go-ahead' - the people of Armenia. And  they don't like being dictated to from outside. At the same time, we  have repeatedly stated that Armenia will not do anything against  Russia, and has no intention of doing so, but at the same time, we  have defended and will continue to defend Armenia's interests,"  Simonyan concluded.

As a reminder, at a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol  Pashinyan in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope  that, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming parliamentary  elections in Armenia, the commitment to strengthening bilateral  relations will be maintained. The Russian President emphasized that,  no matter what happens, Russia will always be guided by what is best  for the Armenian people. Putin also stated that Russia is relaxed  about Armenia's developing relations with the EU, but that Yerevan  will not be able to be in two customs unions at once, expressing hope  that the EU and the EAEU will cooperate in the future. In this  regard, he reminded the Prime Minister that "Russia sells gas to  Armenia at a significantly lower price than the current price of this  fuel in Europe," Putin stated.