EEC Trade Board on why the same state cannot simultaneously be EAEU and EU member

The Eurasian Economic Commission’s (EEC) Trade Board has clarified why a state cannot simultaneously be a member of both the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union (EU).

The EEC Trade Board addressed the topic, answering a question from an Armenpress correspondent in Moscow.

– From a technical and legal standpoint, what are the key differences between the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union from a trade perspective? Why can’t the same state simoultaneously be a member of both the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union?

– From a legal standpoint, both the EAEU and the EU are customs unions established under international trade law. Consequently, a state that has transferred its trade policy powers to one of these unions cannot engage in similar processes within the other.

On March 26, Armenia’s parliament adopted in the second reading a draft law initiating the process of joining the European Union. The Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk stated that Armenia must choose between the EAEU and the EU, as “it is impossible to sit on two chairs at the same time.” He added that the same state cannot be a member of both the EU and the EAEU at the same time.

Overchuk added that if Armenia joins the European Union, Moscow would be forced to reconsider the entire scope of economic relations with Yerevan.