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ALEXANDER ISKANDARYAN: ARMENIA'S TARGET IS UNITING INTERESTS RATHER THAN TEARING THEM APART
Vestnik Kavkaza
Nov 18 2011
Russia
A month ago Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin proposed the
idea of establishing the Eurasian Union. In political and expert
circles of the former Soviet republics this initiative caused various
reactions - from relevance of establishing such union to expressing
empire ambitions of Russia. The political scientist, the head of the
institute Caucasus Alexander Iskandaryan answers questions by VK on
prospects of Armenia's membership in the Eurasian Union.
- What are advantages and disadvantages of Armenia's membership in
this union?
- It is difficult to say what advantages and disadvantages of
Armenia's membership could be. The Eurasian Union has two main
directions: Kazakhstan and Belarus, where the problem of transition
of authority exists. At least in some Russian political and expert
circles such opinion is present. In first case it is connected
with Nazarbayev's age, in the second - with problematic figure
of Lukashenko in the context of the world economy crisis. Perhaps
Moscow thinks that accession of Kazakhstan and Belarus to the Eurasian
Union will strengthen the current united economy space between three
countries. Kazakhstan and Belarus are important for Russia. On the
other hand, these two countries benefit from wider outlet area.
As for Armenia, none of listed factors works here: Armenian market
is small, it lays mainly in Europe, and our countries have no common
boundary.
- Is membership in the Eurasian Union real, considering the fact the
core of the union is the Customs Union? Premier of Armenia Tigran
Sarksyan said that Armenia has no intention to participate in the
Customs Union, as there are no precedents in international practice
when countries without common border participate in such alliance.
- The Customs Union of states with no common border is impossible.
Probably Armenia is aimed at searching for some way of cooperation,
but the Customs Union is impossible, it is obvious.
- However, the Armenian authorities have agreed to participate in
the Union long time ago...
- There's nothing bad in formal participation in any integration
format. It is not bad to gain preferences for your products at any
markets. It is a way Armenia behaves: it takes part in all initiatives,
whether it is West, Russia or Iran. Armenia is a member of the Eastern
Partnership and the CSTO simultaneously.
- Isn't the project of the Eurasian Union an effort to establish a
new empire? Some think it is another trap by Moscow.
- I think that discussion of political integration of the former Soviet
Union territory has nothing in common with reality. It is impossible,
and Russia understands it as well. Maximum they can achieve economy
benefits.
Strengthening of dependence and reconstruction of the empire are
different things. It is normal that in the context of economy
cooperation small countries depend on major ones.
The Statement by Vladimir Putin on extension of economy program is
connected with election campaign.
- Do you think the Eurasian Union project is an alternative to the
EU program Eastern Partnership?
- No, I don't think so. The Eastern Partnership has another format,
it doesn't propose anyone to join the European Union. The Eastern
Partnership is a format of the existing organization. Moreover,
the Eastern Partnership includes not only economy projects, but also
cooperation in humanitarian sphere and simplification of visa regimes.
These two formats shouldn't be compared.
- Does this project compete with the Eastern Partnership?
- Of course, competition takes place. It is difficult for Armenia to
provide balanced policy today. Russia is jealous to Armenian projects
with Europe and West. West treats projects connected with Russia in the
same way. Russia is dissatisfied with our relations with Georgia. The
USA is dissatisfied with our cooperation with Iran.
Nobody is fully satisfied with Yerevan's policy. Balanced policy
between Russia and West has been provided by all Armenian heads. Of
course, the project of the Eurasian Union and the Eastern Partnership
program compete with each other, but the aim is uniting interests
rather than tearing them apart.
Interview by Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to VK .
Vestnik Kavkaza
Nov 18 2011
Russia
A month ago Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin proposed the
idea of establishing the Eurasian Union. In political and expert
circles of the former Soviet republics this initiative caused various
reactions - from relevance of establishing such union to expressing
empire ambitions of Russia. The political scientist, the head of the
institute Caucasus Alexander Iskandaryan answers questions by VK on
prospects of Armenia's membership in the Eurasian Union.
- What are advantages and disadvantages of Armenia's membership in
this union?
- It is difficult to say what advantages and disadvantages of
Armenia's membership could be. The Eurasian Union has two main
directions: Kazakhstan and Belarus, where the problem of transition
of authority exists. At least in some Russian political and expert
circles such opinion is present. In first case it is connected
with Nazarbayev's age, in the second - with problematic figure
of Lukashenko in the context of the world economy crisis. Perhaps
Moscow thinks that accession of Kazakhstan and Belarus to the Eurasian
Union will strengthen the current united economy space between three
countries. Kazakhstan and Belarus are important for Russia. On the
other hand, these two countries benefit from wider outlet area.
As for Armenia, none of listed factors works here: Armenian market
is small, it lays mainly in Europe, and our countries have no common
boundary.
- Is membership in the Eurasian Union real, considering the fact the
core of the union is the Customs Union? Premier of Armenia Tigran
Sarksyan said that Armenia has no intention to participate in the
Customs Union, as there are no precedents in international practice
when countries without common border participate in such alliance.
- The Customs Union of states with no common border is impossible.
Probably Armenia is aimed at searching for some way of cooperation,
but the Customs Union is impossible, it is obvious.
- However, the Armenian authorities have agreed to participate in
the Union long time ago...
- There's nothing bad in formal participation in any integration
format. It is not bad to gain preferences for your products at any
markets. It is a way Armenia behaves: it takes part in all initiatives,
whether it is West, Russia or Iran. Armenia is a member of the Eastern
Partnership and the CSTO simultaneously.
- Isn't the project of the Eurasian Union an effort to establish a
new empire? Some think it is another trap by Moscow.
- I think that discussion of political integration of the former Soviet
Union territory has nothing in common with reality. It is impossible,
and Russia understands it as well. Maximum they can achieve economy
benefits.
Strengthening of dependence and reconstruction of the empire are
different things. It is normal that in the context of economy
cooperation small countries depend on major ones.
The Statement by Vladimir Putin on extension of economy program is
connected with election campaign.
- Do you think the Eurasian Union project is an alternative to the
EU program Eastern Partnership?
- No, I don't think so. The Eastern Partnership has another format,
it doesn't propose anyone to join the European Union. The Eastern
Partnership is a format of the existing organization. Moreover,
the Eastern Partnership includes not only economy projects, but also
cooperation in humanitarian sphere and simplification of visa regimes.
These two formats shouldn't be compared.
- Does this project compete with the Eastern Partnership?
- Of course, competition takes place. It is difficult for Armenia to
provide balanced policy today. Russia is jealous to Armenian projects
with Europe and West. West treats projects connected with Russia in the
same way. Russia is dissatisfied with our relations with Georgia. The
USA is dissatisfied with our cooperation with Iran.
Nobody is fully satisfied with Yerevan's policy. Balanced policy
between Russia and West has been provided by all Armenian heads. Of
course, the project of the Eurasian Union and the Eastern Partnership
program compete with each other, but the aim is uniting interests
rather than tearing them apart.
Interview by Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to VK .