Armenia’s Pashinyan laid out Yerevan's decision to formally apply for EU membership “in the near future” and to call for a national referendum, challenging Russia’s regional influence and setting the stage for a historic geopolitical shift.
    • blackberry28@sh.itjust.works
      1·
      25 days ago

      Hell no. Especially when it comes to economically weak countries who will likely receive more EU money than they contribute. The more members in the EU, the harder it will be to pass laws, what with the unanimity rules and so on.

  • Tango@piefed.caEnglish
    2·
    25 days ago

    Armenia’s economy still relies on Russian energy and infrastructure, but in another surprise move on Monday, Pashinyan asked Moscow to give up its monopoly concession of Armenian railways which runs until 2038 so that Yerevan can integrate its rail into international networks, with either Kazakhstan or the UAE as possible investors.

    What’s a “monopoly concession”?

    • idiomaddict@lemmy.world
      2·
      25 days ago

      A monopoly concession is an artificial monopoly granted by a government. Artificial in the sense that it’s enforced by laws instead of arising naturally from the market conditions, not that it’s a fake monopoly.

      Utility companies often have monopoly concessions for geographic areas.

      • Tango@piefed.caEnglish
        2·
        25 days ago

        Is there any reason to think the Kremlin would give theirs up voluntarily?

        • idiomaddict@lemmy.world
          2·
          25 days ago

          After it applied to the EU? I can’t see them agreeing to it unless they intend to sabotage the international rail networks or get one hell of a kickback

  • Rat_in_a_hat@lemmy.ca
    1·
    25 days ago

    Lol Turkey gonna be pissed if Armenia’s application gets accepted while Turkey has been on hold for how long now? Like a decade and a half?