Reformists: Armenia can remain in  EAEU while simultaneously joining  EEA

ArmInfo. Armenia has the potential to remain a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) while simultaneously participating in the European Economic Area (EEA), according to Vahan Babayan, leader of the "Reformists" party, in a recent Facebook post.

He clarified that amid current international turbulence, Armenia could propose a new model of cooperation to both the European Union and Russia. Such a framework would offer the country a unique opportunity to strengthen its regional position and avoid becoming caught in the epicenter of geopolitical confrontation.To support his argument, he cited the example of countries that are not EU members but cooperate within the union. "For example, the following countries—Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein—are members of the EEA, but are not members of the European Union. However, they have access to the EU's single market," Babayan noted. He cited Switzerland as another example. The politician noted that Switzerland, while neither an EU member nor a member of the EEA, has over 100 bilateral agreements with the EU regulating trade, the labor market, and other areas of cooperation. "What prevents Armenia, by putting this issue on the agenda, from retaining access to the EAEU market while simultaneously moving toward the European market?" Babayan concluded.