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EURASEC MEMO: DOCUMENT SIGNED IN YEREVAN SEEN AS COMPROMISE BORN OUT OF 'PRESSURE' AND 'RESISTANCE'
POLITICS | 12.04.13 | 10:45
Photo: www.gov.am
By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent
The Armenian government and the Eurasian Economic Commission have
signed a Memorandum of Understanding this week in what pundits say
is likely to be a compromise solution to the current status quo in
which Armenia resists Russia's pressure for a full commitment.
The document was signed on April 10 by acting Prime Minister of
Armenia Tigran Sargsyan and Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian
Economic Commission, Viktor Khristenko.
The signing of this document was not properly announced in advance
either by the Armenian or the Russian sides. It is also noteworthy that
after the signing ceremony no Armenian party has made any assessment of
this act. Perhaps it is because the text of the memorandum expressly
states that the document is nonbinding and cannot obstruct the
international commitments of either party.
Despite the fact that both the Russian and Armenian leaderships give
assurances that there is no pressure on Yerevan regarding its entry
into the post-Soviet integration structures - the Customs Union and
the yet nascent Eurasian Union, it is obvious that such pressure
does exist. It is also apparent, however, that Armenia strenuously
resists such a prospect and the document signed in Yerevan is likely
to be a compromise between this pressure and resistance shown by the
Armenian administration. In this regard it is interesting to compare
the descriptions given to the memorandum by the two sides. In Russia
it was immediately called "a basis for cooperation", while in Armenia
it was described as "non-binding".
In the document proper, the Government of Armenia and the Eurasian
Economic Commission agree to develop cooperation in trade policy,
technical regulation, standardization, measurement assurance,
application of sanitary, veterinary and phytosanitary requirements
and measures, as well as in other areas of mutual interest.
Political analyst Richard Giragosian downplayed the significance of
the document. "This is more of a message for Russian pressure over
other former Soviet states and much less about Armenia," he told
RFE/RL's Armenian Service on Thursday.
It is also remarkable that the memorandum was signed with the
Government of Armenia, which is only acting as such after its
resignation was accepted by President Serzh Sargsyan, who was sworn
in for a second term on April 9. It is this period, however, that
Russia has invigorated its policy in Armenia.
An interview with public relations officer of Russia's Public
Anti-Corruption Committee Marina Galyuchenko has appeared in the
media. In it she directly hints at the fact that there is evidence of
'dirty' money of Armenian officials and Russian officials patronizing
them. Besides, a court in Moscow is reportedly continuing to hear
a case regarding Armenia's chemical giant, Nairit, and the name of
Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan also figures in the process.
Russia also unexpectedly allocated, through the Eurasian Development
Bank, a sum of $100 million for the construction of the North-South
highway, pledging another $400 million for Nairit.
The Armenian government has repeatedly stated that it considers
cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Commission and the Customs
Union to be expedient, but not in the capacity of its member. Armenia,
just like Ukraine, insists on indirect membership in the Customs
Union. Yet, Russia continues to "persuade" them both to join the union.
Two weeks ago it was stated in Yerevan that the text of the Association
Agreement with the European Union has been finalized.
Three rounds are left before the text of an agreement on a "deep and
comprehensive free trade area" is finalized. These agreements are
expected to be initialed in November.
POLITICS | 12.04.13 | 10:45
Photo: www.gov.am
By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent
The Armenian government and the Eurasian Economic Commission have
signed a Memorandum of Understanding this week in what pundits say
is likely to be a compromise solution to the current status quo in
which Armenia resists Russia's pressure for a full commitment.
The document was signed on April 10 by acting Prime Minister of
Armenia Tigran Sargsyan and Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian
Economic Commission, Viktor Khristenko.
The signing of this document was not properly announced in advance
either by the Armenian or the Russian sides. It is also noteworthy that
after the signing ceremony no Armenian party has made any assessment of
this act. Perhaps it is because the text of the memorandum expressly
states that the document is nonbinding and cannot obstruct the
international commitments of either party.
Despite the fact that both the Russian and Armenian leaderships give
assurances that there is no pressure on Yerevan regarding its entry
into the post-Soviet integration structures - the Customs Union and
the yet nascent Eurasian Union, it is obvious that such pressure
does exist. It is also apparent, however, that Armenia strenuously
resists such a prospect and the document signed in Yerevan is likely
to be a compromise between this pressure and resistance shown by the
Armenian administration. In this regard it is interesting to compare
the descriptions given to the memorandum by the two sides. In Russia
it was immediately called "a basis for cooperation", while in Armenia
it was described as "non-binding".
In the document proper, the Government of Armenia and the Eurasian
Economic Commission agree to develop cooperation in trade policy,
technical regulation, standardization, measurement assurance,
application of sanitary, veterinary and phytosanitary requirements
and measures, as well as in other areas of mutual interest.
Political analyst Richard Giragosian downplayed the significance of
the document. "This is more of a message for Russian pressure over
other former Soviet states and much less about Armenia," he told
RFE/RL's Armenian Service on Thursday.
It is also remarkable that the memorandum was signed with the
Government of Armenia, which is only acting as such after its
resignation was accepted by President Serzh Sargsyan, who was sworn
in for a second term on April 9. It is this period, however, that
Russia has invigorated its policy in Armenia.
An interview with public relations officer of Russia's Public
Anti-Corruption Committee Marina Galyuchenko has appeared in the
media. In it she directly hints at the fact that there is evidence of
'dirty' money of Armenian officials and Russian officials patronizing
them. Besides, a court in Moscow is reportedly continuing to hear
a case regarding Armenia's chemical giant, Nairit, and the name of
Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan also figures in the process.
Russia also unexpectedly allocated, through the Eurasian Development
Bank, a sum of $100 million for the construction of the North-South
highway, pledging another $400 million for Nairit.
The Armenian government has repeatedly stated that it considers
cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Commission and the Customs
Union to be expedient, but not in the capacity of its member. Armenia,
just like Ukraine, insists on indirect membership in the Customs
Union. Yet, Russia continues to "persuade" them both to join the union.
Two weeks ago it was stated in Yerevan that the text of the Association
Agreement with the European Union has been finalized.
Three rounds are left before the text of an agreement on a "deep and
comprehensive free trade area" is finalized. These agreements are
expected to be initialed in November.