Enlargement of the Eurasian Economic Union
"[19] Among the most notable opponents of Armenia's membership to the union are the four former foreign affairs ministers: Raffi Hovannisian (1991–92),[20] Vahan Papazyan (1993–96), Alexander Arzumanyan (1996-98) and Vartan Oskanian (1998-2008).
"[27] On 9 June 2015, Styopa Safaryan, Head of the Armenian Institute of International and Security Affairs, stated that Russia had blackmailed Armenia to not sign an Association Agreement with the EU.
Sargsyan added that although Armenia is part of the Eurasian Union, a newly revised Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement would be finalized in November 2017.
[38] On 9 September 2024, prime minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed that the issue of starting the EU membership process has become part of the Armenian political agenda.
[citation needed] In September 2013, during an interview, the Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili was open to the possibility of Georgia joining the Customs Union "if it will be advantageous for our country".
[citation needed] In a March 18 interview, foreign minister Mikheil Janelidze said that further integration with the European Union, possible membership in NATO and restoring its international recognized borders are “red lines” in talks with Russia.
[55] In February 2014, over the objections of the Moldovan central government, the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia (which had a population of about 155,000 at the time) held two referendums on European integration.
Dodon, the first Moldovan president to visit Russia for nine years, said he had asked Vladimir Putin to look into how Moldova could join Eurasian Economic Union's regulatory body.
[1] In October 2019, during a meeting in Yerevan, President Igor Dodon stated that he hoped to establish a permanent representative of Moldova to the Eurasian Economic Commission.
In July 2015, Syrian Prime Minister Wael Halqi said that "Negotiations with Russia on joining the Eurasian Union and customs-free zone are being held.
[94] Prime Minister Mykola Azarov stated on 7 June 2013 that "very favorable terms", including "a sharp reduction in gas price and the cancellation of crude oil export duties", had been offered to Ukraine for its accession to the Customs Union, but stressed that its membership of the World Trade Organization, and associated agreements, prevented Ukraine from joining the Customs Union.
[103] In October 2019, Uzbek government officials announced that Uzbekistan will aim to complete negotiations for a free trade deal with the Eurasian Union by the end of 2021.
[citation needed] In March 2017, the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev stated that he is optimistic about the future of the Eurasian Economic Union and its potential growth.
In February 2019, the vice president of Argentina, Gabriela Michetti met with Armenian ambassador in Buenos Aires and reaffirmed both the EAEU and Mercosur would benefit from maximizing cooperation.
The Prime Minister advised that the new Singapore-EAEU free trade deal which was recently finalized, could serve as a pathfinder for a future FTA between the EAEU and ASEAN.
[122] On April 26, 2019, the leaders of China and Russia called their countries “good friends” and vowed to work together in pursuing greater economic integration of Eurasia.
On the sidelines of the Belt and Road Initiative Forum in Beijing, Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian president Vladimir Putin pledged to further strengthen economic and trade cooperation between the two sides.
[127] In December 2016, the Presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia approved proposals on the need to start talks on creation of a free trade zone between the Eurasian Economic Union and Egypt.
[citation needed] On November 18, 2018, Egypt and the Eurasian Union signed a framework document on the creation of a free trade agreement between the two sides in Cairo.
In October 2019, during a meeting in Yerevan, President of Moldova Igor Dodon stated that he supported the creation of a free trade zone between the EU and the Eurasian Union.
[140] In December 2016, the Armenian President, Serzh Sargsyan, stated that Armenia is actively supporting the process of negotiations between the Eurasian Economic Commission and Iran striving to sign a Free Trade Agreement as soon as possible.
His proposition comes about a week after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's official visit to Yerevan, where discussion took place on the deepening of trade and economic relations between the EEU and Iran.
[141] In March 2017, the prime ministers of the EEU signed a directive ordering preparations for an agreement on forming a Free-trade zone with Iran, during a meeting in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek.
[146] Early in 2019, both Russian and Israeli officials confirmed that negotiations towards Israel's signature of a free trade agreement with the EEU were nearing completion, pending one final round of talks.
[147] The possibility of establishing a free trade zone between Japan and the Eurasian Union will be discussed in the nearest future, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a Russian-Japanese Business Dialogue meeting in December 2016.
[149] On 12 March 2018, Armenia discussed the potential for Lebanon to access larger markets within the EAEU during a meeting between the Lebanese and Armenian Prime Ministers in Beirut.
[151] In December 2018, the presidents of Mercosur countries signed a Memorandum for Cooperation on trade and economic issues with the Eurasian Union during a meeting in Montevideo.
The EEC had signed partnerships with other countries, which shows that it sees Morocco as a "credible partner and a gateway" to Africa and other regions with whom the Kingdom enjoys excellent relations, he said.
Some Russian analysts argue that the Philippines could be the key in Moscow's ambition to forge a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and the ASEAN bloc.
The Prime Minister also hoped that ASEAN and the Eurasian Union would sign a similar deal as both trade blocs together comprise 800 million people, which would unlock multiple opportunities and economic growth.
