Consultations on Armenia should be continued to assess the current situation, Linas Linkevichus, Foreign Minister of Lithuania - country holding the European Union presidency - said when discussing Armenia's decision to join the Customs Union and perspectives of Armenia-EU relations with his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian in Vilnius. Edward Nalbandian, in turn, reaffirmed Armenia's willingness to continue close cooperation with the European Union in different directions, to the extent that would be appropriate for the EU and so that it would not contradict Armenia's decision to join the Customs Union
The Lithuanian minister said Armenia's membership of the Customs Union is incompatible with its involvement in the free trade area with the EU. Linkevichus said he respects Armenia decision but he had to say that the decision to join the Customs Union hampers the country's ambitions to integrate into Europe.
In this light, the Lithuanian minister said, it is very important for Armenia to look ahead and not to waste what it has achieved as an Eastern Partnership country over the past 5 years and during the negotiations for the Association Agreement with the EU.
"Your visit shows Armenia's desire to continue cooperation with the EU and participate in the Eastern Partnership project," the Lithuanian minister said.
On September 3 in Moscow, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan confirmed Armenia's intention to join the Customs Union and the process of the formation of the Eurasian Union. Vladimir Putin supported Sargsyan's decision and promised to contribute to Yerevan's accession to the Customs Union in every possible way. Meanwhile, Armenia was expected to initial an Association Agreement with EU, including DCFTA, at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius in November along with some other countries.