Pashinyan says call with Putin was productive

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan described his July 27 telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin as productive, saying the two leaders reached a common understanding on several key issues, Report informs via Armenian media.

Speaking to reporters, Pashinyan said he told Putin that Armenia has the legitimate right to develop alternative partnerships and policy options.

"We reached a common understanding on a number of issues, namely that Armenia has the legitimate right to create alternatives. I told the Russian president that we have announced this course and will follow it, especially now that the people of Armenia have voted for it," Pashinyan said.

He added that Armenia should always have alternatives in all areas, declaring that "the era of having no alternatives is over."

Addressing difficulties with Armenian exports, Pashinyan argued that the issue is "not Armenia's problem, but the Eurasian Economic Union's problem."

"In essence, it turns out that the EAEU is paralyzed and not functioning. If this issue is not resolved in the near future, I predict that this will mark the beginning of the end of the EAEU," he said.

At the same time, Pashinyan reiterated that Armenia has no plans to withdraw from the Eurasian Economic Union.

The Armenian prime minister also said Putin did not congratulate him on his re-election during the phone call, adding, "The Russian president did not congratulate me, but then the question arises: who was he talking to?"