And for Armenia: If you want to join the EU, please, but don't forget about Turkey — Peskov

The Armenian leadership should remember the experience of Turkey, which has been seeking EU membership for almost forty years, but "who is still there." This was recalled today by the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov.

"As for the application for EU membership, I always recommend here to recall the experience of Turkey, the experience of a number of other countries, decades have passed since the application was submitted, and who is still there," Peskov said. — There is a very important aspect here, which was also discussed by our representatives and, first of all, by the head of our state. After applying [for EU membership], Armenia will have to start the process of bringing its legislation in various fields — trade, phytosanitary, customs, etc., etc. — in line with European norms, with the norms of the European Union. These norms do not coincide with the norms that have been adopted in our country and that have been adopted in the EAEU space. And this is where we will face deep contradictions that will primarily harm Armenia itself."

He clarified that this is why a statement was adopted at the last EAEU summit in which the heads of the union's states called on Armenia to hold an appropriate referendum as soon as possible.

At the same time, Armenia may leave the CSTO if Yerevan no longer needs membership in it, Peskov said, commenting on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's statement that Yerevan would be pleased if it were expelled from the CSTO.

"If Yerevan no longer needs membership in such an important organization for ensuring regional security due to its national interests, then it is free to make the appropriate decision and leave this organization. So far, we have heard statements at various levels by representatives of the Armenian side who said that yes, membership has been frozen, but Armenia does not plan to withdraw yet. At least we have heard such statements so far," the Kremlin spokesman summed up.