Armenia to Join Russian-led Customs Union and Eurasian Economic Union

    By Lukas I. Alpert

    MOSCOW--Armenia said Tuesday it has decided to join a customs union led by Russia as well as the proposed Eurasian Economic Union strongly promoted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

    Armenia will become the fourth member of the customs block made up of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. The decision was announced during a meeting between Mr. Putin and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in Russia.

    "The presidents reaffirmed the focus of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia on the further development of economic integration in the Eurasian territory," read a statement posted on the Kremlin website.

    "In this context, Mr. Sargsyan said Armenia had decided to join the customs union and take the necessary practical steps to subsequently participate in the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union."

    In 2011, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan agreed to form a larger Eurasian Union by 2015. The concept is the brainchild of Mr. Putin who has envisages it as a counter to the European Union made up of mostly former Soviet states. Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have considered joining but other countries like Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have said they aren't interested.

    Write to Lukas I. Alpert at