Civil Contract parliamentary faction member Taguhi Ghazaryan addressed the timeline for visa liberalization with the European Union during a briefing with reporters and responded to a question about a possible increase in gas prices.
“I would suggest not portraying an increase in gas prices as the end of the world, or leaving the EAEU without joining the EU. That is also one of the possible scenarios, in which Armenia may consume gas at a higher price. Armenian citizens will have both gas and the money to pay for it. I do not think Armenia should compromise on important issues because of the gas price,” she said, according to Aravot.am .
Ghazaryan was responding to reporters’ remarks about a possible scenario in which Armenia ends its EAEU membership but is unable to join the EU, while Russia raises the gas price to $600-$700.
Reporters recalled that the European Commission’s chief spokesperson had said it was still too early to specify when Armenian citizens would be able to travel visa-free to EU countries.
“Why, didn’t you know that Armenia would have to wait? We had announced that our approximate deadline is 2029, and there is an action plan for that. The EU’s condition is that it happens once the action plan is completed. There is no other procedure to move it backward or forward,” she said.
Reporters also asked about the view that the EU official’s statement could be linked to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s remarks about the possibility of holding a referendum on EU membership. The lawmaker ruled out such a connection.
“Visa liberalization cannot be linked to any political statement. This is about technical criteria. The political decision was already made when the visa liberalization dialogue was launched,” Ghazaryan said.
Addressing statements from Russia about holding a referendum, Ghazaryan said there are procedures that must be followed before reaching that stage.
“We will, of course, hold a referendum, but there are procedures we must go through to reach the referendum stage. I am grateful for the support in suggesting that we hold a referendum. The referendum cannot take place this year,” she said.
Reporters also asked whether Armenia would continue benefiting from the EAEU until 2029, the timeframe mentioned in relation to the EU.
“What does it mean to benefit from the EAEU? Is the EAEU a charitable organization? The EAEU is an economic organization; we benefit from each other. Armenia is not the only one benefiting from that organization. The EAEU will continue benefiting from Armenia for as long as Armenia has not decided to end its membership,” Ghazaryan said.
