Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk stated that discussions about the undesirability of Russian companies’ presence in Armenia may raise questions about Armenian business activities in Russia.
“If the Armenian railway is preserved, it will have to remain a road that serves the needs of its economy, the real prospects of which are connected with the EAEU. Our interest lies in expanding trade with Armenia and all the states of the region. Still, if we are told that the presence of Russian companies in Armenia does not correspond to Armenia’s interests, then, based on the principle of reciprocity, it would be fair to ask: if Russian companies and businessmen cannot have a presence and make a profit in Armenia, then why can Armenian companies and businessmen have a presence and make a profit in Russia?”
Overchuk emphasized that foreign economic relations are reciprocal. “Without mutual trade, goods can’t move, and the Armenian railway’s load depends on it.” Armenian businesses doing business in Russia should pay attention to this. Isn’t that how we view the issue, and we need to talk about it openly,” the Russian Deputy Prime Minister noted.
According to him, Moscow sees that Armenia is preparing to join the European Union, which has become a hostile bloc for Russia.
“What we see in the example of the twists and turns around the Armenian railway concession fits into the political logic of rapprochement with the European Union, which is experiencing a significant economic decline and is turning into a military-political bloc hostile to Russia,” Overchuk noted.
He emphasized that “whether Armenians want to become part of a bloc hostile to Russia or not is up to the Armenians themselves.”
“It is obvious to us that they are being prepared for this, as are the long-term grave consequences of such developments,” the Russian Deputy Prime Minister noted.
According to Overchuk, the signing of the agreement to implement the “Trump Road” project has disrupted the regional balance in the South Caucasus.
