Armenia's EU aspiration its legitimate right, but it creates difficulties for its stay in EAEU - Putin

BISHKEK. Aug 1 (Interfax) - Armenia's aspiration to join the European Union is a legitimate right of its people, but it creates difficulties for its stay in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"You are well aware of our position. Armenia's EU aspiration is a natural, legitimate right of the country and its people. Armenia is a sovereign state. It is for the Armenian people to determine the vector of their development. But it creates difficulties for the stay in the Eurasian Economic Union," Putin said during a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Putin said he has repeatedly discussed this matter with Pashinyan.

"You and I have already repeatedly discussed the matters dealing with Armenia's declared intention to join the European Union. We have repeatedly approached this subject over phone and in our in-person conversations," Putin said.

Armenia's joining the EU is fraught with the severing of established trade chains, he said.