TASS: Pashinyan will attend the EAEU summit via a video conference

The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) summit will be held today at the Igora resort in Russia’s Leningrad region, with Russian President Vladimir Putin also in attendance.

Initially, it was planned for all the leaders of the Eurasian “five” to meet in person at the summit. However, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had to cancel his trip due to a positive COVID-19 test.

According to a TASS source at the summit, the Armenian prime minister intends to attend the EAEU summit via a video conference.

As stated by the Kremlin, the meeting will discuss further integration of the EAEU. Among other issues, the removal of obstacles and restrictions in the internal market, harmonization of legislation in the financial sector, and the liberalization of the common services market will be discussed. Another topic will be the formation of a common market for gas, oil, and petroleum products. The leaders are expected to approve the main directions of the EAEU’s international activities for 2025 and the organization’s budget. Over 20 important documents are expected to be signed, including the decision to grant Iran observer status in the organization.

Starting Jan. 1, 2025, the EAEU presidency will pass from Yerevan to Minsk. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is expected to present the priorities for Belarus’s presidency in 2025.