Yerevan’s Choice: Armenia and its Integration into the Eurasian Customs Union
In the fall of 2013, Armenia made the decision to accede to the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia. Prior to this, the country had been involved in negotiations with the European Union regarding Armenian participation in a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. While many were quick to assert that Armenia’s decision was based primarily on Russian pressure, closer analysis shows that Armenia’s decision to join the Eurasian Customs Union was taken based in large part on considerations such as the direct investment Armenia would receive from Russia, as well as strategic considerations involving Armenia’s neighbours in the South Caucasus and the Middle East. Armenia’s integration into Russia’s economic fold appears to be set for the foreseeable future.