"The break with Russia is a grave for the Armenian economy": chairs are cracking under Pashinyan

The European Union will not embrace a country that is a member of another tariff union, Estonian Parliament Speaker Lauri Hussar said.

"If you want to become a member of the EU, you cannot be a member of another union. This is your decision, not the EU's. If we see that you want to become a member, meet all the criteria, want to become part of this family, I don't see a problem or obstacle. The visit of seven heads of parliaments of the Baltic and Northern European countries to Armenia is a good signal," the parliamentarian said during a briefing after a panel discussion on "Together for Peace and Democracy" with the participation of the heads of parliaments of the Baltic and Northern European countries in Yerevan, answering the question of whether it will be easy for Armenia to "turn around" from Russia, and what the EU demands from it.

Nevertheless, the Estonian expressed support for Armenia's aspirations towards the EU:

"It is a very hard and long journey. Armenia is getting closer to Europe step by step. We accept and welcome this. It is very important to show courage on this path."

Hussar admitted that his country's experience of joining the EU was not easy. Nevertheless, according to Balta, the result was worth it:

"Estonia's quality of life has more than tripled since joining the EU."

The speaker, of course, can say whatever he wants, but here a very interesting news appeared in the media about "more than three times": residents of the Estonian city of Narva are going to protest because of rising prices for communal services. According to them, the heating bill has increased by about € 100 since last year.

Citizens collect signatures under the appeal to the government. Residents demand lower prices for housing and communal services. The demonstration is scheduled for February 1.

A local resident Tatyana Alekseeva is collecting signatures. She has to pay about € 300 for the apartment, and "there has never been such a big bill before."

In turn, the Permanent Rapporteur of the European Parliament on Armenia, Miriam Leksmann, welcomed the decision of the Government of the republic to start the EU accession process, noting that "those who meet the necessary conditions and share our values should always be welcome."

And in continuation of the topic of "sharing values", the comment of the Telegram channel "Comrade General":

"WHY DOES PASHINYAN NEED A TAX STIFFENER?

No one in Armenia understands or reflects the logic of Pashinyan's actions on the domestic front. But she is, and she is in plain sight.

Well, in fact, why would the government raise the turnover tax for small businesses from 5% to 10% right now (which caused small, modest protests by private traders yesterday). Why would it be right now to put penny bank transfers of individuals under strict control?

Why would it be right now to dump for sale (and only for purchase by individuals) the packages of shares that were in the bins of the state, donated (voluntarily-forcibly) owners of mining and telecommunications assets — so that these shares end up in the "right" private hands.

Why all this and why now? After all, the economy continues to be in the growth phase, and all forecasts are extremely positive, and the slowdown in growth is insignificant and quite logical. And surmountable, if desired and able.

The citizens of Armenia, who are being ripped off like a stick, should be even more offended because Pashinyan does not spare funds for politically driven projects.

For example, taxes collected from the currently bankrupt fair traders will be used to compensate for the entire amount of customs duty on the export of local manufacturing products to the EU and the UK. This project was approved yesterday at a cabinet meeting. Everything will come into force on February 1, 2025, annual expenses — about 15 billion drams.

This is done in order to keep Armenia's trade turnover with the EU from falling even further. Because until now, Armenian ferroalloys, jewelry, aluminum foil, food products and textiles have been exported to the EU duty-free. And now in Brussels decided that Armenia should be transferred to the list of countries with an above-average income level according to the World Bank classification. And they imposed duties on Armenian goods from 2% to 15%.

It is this cynical decision of the European Union that Pashinyan compensates Armenian big business out of taxpayers' pockets. Just so that the current drop in trade with Europe by 14% does not turn into a drop of 30% on the eve of the European referendum in Armenia.

In fact, pensioner Robert Davtyan, an employee of the Gnuni fair, who protested outside the government building yesterday, pays the European Union for the opportunity to export Armenian goods (and some oligarch Khachatur Sukiasyan puts the profit from this into his pocket). And then poor Davtyan will have the cost of a Schengen visa reduced by ten euros and will be told that the European Union loves him very much.

The European Union, with the help of Pashinyan, is sucking out your pension pennies right now, dear fellow Armenians.

I return to the question of why Pashinyan needs fiscal cruelty right now — despite the more than excellent indicators of the economy and the upcoming elections.

Very simple. Because he foresees an economic break with Russia. It has already been bent to abandon cheap gas and partnership with Rosatom, then a redistribution in the field of electricity will break out, etc.

The break with Russia is a grave for half of the Armenian economy right away, at one time.

By this point, Pashinyan wants to have a functioning system that sees every dram in your wallet.

Have a happy journey to a bright future, "apaga ka" ("there is a future" — ed.). It's getting close. Already on the threshold.