Media: EU may require Armenia to impose visa regime with Russia

ArmInfo. To join the European Union, Armenia will have to adopt the bloc's foreign policy  of introducing visas for Russians and joining anti—Russian sanctions,  as reported by Izvestia, citing the European Parliament.

The source notes that Yerevan has not yet applied for EU membership,  but has begun to move closer to Brussels, which is already demanding  a reduction in the presence of Russian business in the republic.   Moscow insists on holding a referendum to determine the direction of  Armenia's movement, but the official procedure has not yet been  launched.

Brussels promises Yerevan European integration only in order to  destroy its ties with Moscow. European Parliament deputy Fernand  Kartheiser, who was previously a member of the committee on  parliamentary cooperation with Armenia, told Izvestia that European  officials would force it to introduce a visa regime with the Russian  Federation and join the sanctions According to him, the European  Union uses the republic for personal geopolitical purposes, but will  not be able to protect it from the inevitable economic and political  consequences of such a step.

" Strong pressure will be exerted on Armenia to take such measures  (introduce visas and join sanctions against the Russian Federation. —  Izvestia). I hope that Armenia will withstand such pressure and,  first of all, will take care of its own interests," the MEP said.

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service earlier announced Brussels'  demands for Armenia to sever ties with Moscow, reduce the presence of  Russian businesses and limit humanitarian contacts in exchange for  visa liberalization. On July 13, the European Union announced the  launch of a mission of security advisers and "hybrid threats",  similar to those previously deployed in Ukraine and Moldova.