The development of a dialogue between Azerbaijan and the Eurasian Economic Union – of which Armenia is a member – would "contribute to the intensification of mutual trade", Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told reporters on Wednesday, December 15.

Zakharova made the remarks during a weekly briefing, when asked about the proposal of the first President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, to grant Azerbaijan observer status in the EAEU.

“The initiative of Nursultan Nazarbayev, which is in fact within the ideology of Eurasian integration, deserves attention, of course. As you know, the Eurasian Economic Union is open to states that are interested in closer integration, in closer interaction. First of all, we mean the CIS countries that maintain closer ties with the EU member states," she said.

“Despite the difficult period with the pandemic, most macroeconomic indicators are characterized by positive dynamics. Therefore, the development of a dialogue between Azerbaijan and the EAEU in any format would contribute to the intensification of mutual trade and the unblocking of transport arteries in the region, as well as the implementation of large-scale regional infrastructure projects."

Under the EAEU regulations, Armenia should give consent for Azerbaijan to be able to join the union.