Armenia's withdrawal would be massive blow to EEU: EurasiaNet

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia's secession from the Eurasian Economic Union would be a massive blow to the organization, EurasiaNet says.

The article came after opposition Yelk bloc submitted to the parliament a proposal to leave the EEU and pursue better ties with the West.

According to the feature on EurasiaNet, Armenia's secession from the Union would undoubtedly evoke a punishing response from Russia.

"Surely even Yelk knows that, and so Armenia is going to stay in the EEU for the foreseeable future," the article says.

"Some analysts have seen the secession proposal as a canny Yelk move to weaken (president Serzh) Sargsyan's position ahead of next year's shift to a parliamentary system. It remains unclear whether Sargsyan will attempt to maintain his hold on power by seeking to be named prime minister, but the Eurasian Union issue could possibly be used as a lever against him.

"It could also, however, give Sargsyan more bargaining power with Moscow; if the Kremlin sees that there is genuine dissatisfaction with EEU membership it may be inclined to grant Armenia more concessions, economic or otherwise."