ISTANBUL

Russia said on Thursday that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed his country’s intention to continue working with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin.

“In general, Armenia – and this was also discussed today – is determined to continue working in the EAEU,” Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk told reporters after the meeting between Pashinyan and Mishustin in the settlement of Manzherok in the Russian Republic of Altai. The session was held on the sidelines of an international environmental conference.

Armenia and the EU have sought closer ties in recent year. This March, the Armenian parliament passed a bill to initiate accession process to the EU, which was signed by President Vahagn Khachaturyan in April.

Russia argues Armenia’s initiation of discussions on EU accession signals a move toward withdrawing from the EAEU, a five-member economic union which Yerevan has been a member of since 2015.

Overchuk said the leaders also discussed other matters in the South Caucasus region, defining the conversation in this regard as “very useful.”

“Of course, we are concerned about the reduction in trade turnover between the two countries. We discussed what needs to be done to improve the situation," he said, adding that Russian investments in Armenia were also discussed.