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WILL KARABAKH "JOIN" RUSSIA'S CUSTOMS UNION?
EurasiaNet.org
dec 10 2013
December 10, 2013 - 7:28am, by Giorgi Lomsadze
Armenia has made its choice between the two EUs -- the European Union
and the Eurasian Union-- but will it bring its de-facto addendum,
the breakaway territory of Nagorno Karabakh along with it into the
Russia-plus trade space? Some analysts believe that Karabakh will
indirectly end up enjoying the benefits of the Kremlin's economic
promised land.
Bent on taking the territory back, Azerbaijan poses a stumbling block
for the predominantly ethnic Armenian territory to reach out to the
outside world; meaning that Armenia is essentially the only friend
and trade partner Karabakh has.
In turn, since Russia is the main economic partner for semi-boycotted
Armenia, Karabakh by default is expected to gain access to the economic
zone coalesced around Moscow, some Armenians believe.
"Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh form one economic space," Alexander
Iskanderian, director of the Yerevan-based Caucasus Institute, told
Russia's Gazeta.ru. "Armenian money works in Stepanakert, the banking
system and laws are closely integrated."
Officially, of course, it will not be a union of Russia, Belarus
Kazakhstan, Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Not even Armenia has
recognized Karabakh as an independent state.
Nor, with all members of the union, Russia included, wary of angering
Azerbaijan, the formation of the Eurasian Union is not going to change
the diplomatic status quo for Karabakh.
But, as often happens in the Caucasus, it's what happens apart from
what's written that counts. Some observers expect that Karabakh's
produce, be it mulberry brandy or construction materials, could be
sold customs-free within the union as products of Armenia.
"Nobody is going to put customs checkpoints between Karabakh and
Armenia," said Viktor Yadukha, a Russian commentator. "Karabakh
will de-facto join the customs union," he told Azerbaijan's Vesti.az
news site.
http://www.eurasianet.org/node/67852
EurasiaNet.org
dec 10 2013
December 10, 2013 - 7:28am, by Giorgi Lomsadze
Armenia has made its choice between the two EUs -- the European Union
and the Eurasian Union-- but will it bring its de-facto addendum,
the breakaway territory of Nagorno Karabakh along with it into the
Russia-plus trade space? Some analysts believe that Karabakh will
indirectly end up enjoying the benefits of the Kremlin's economic
promised land.
Bent on taking the territory back, Azerbaijan poses a stumbling block
for the predominantly ethnic Armenian territory to reach out to the
outside world; meaning that Armenia is essentially the only friend
and trade partner Karabakh has.
In turn, since Russia is the main economic partner for semi-boycotted
Armenia, Karabakh by default is expected to gain access to the economic
zone coalesced around Moscow, some Armenians believe.
"Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh form one economic space," Alexander
Iskanderian, director of the Yerevan-based Caucasus Institute, told
Russia's Gazeta.ru. "Armenian money works in Stepanakert, the banking
system and laws are closely integrated."
Officially, of course, it will not be a union of Russia, Belarus
Kazakhstan, Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Not even Armenia has
recognized Karabakh as an independent state.
Nor, with all members of the union, Russia included, wary of angering
Azerbaijan, the formation of the Eurasian Union is not going to change
the diplomatic status quo for Karabakh.
But, as often happens in the Caucasus, it's what happens apart from
what's written that counts. Some observers expect that Karabakh's
produce, be it mulberry brandy or construction materials, could be
sold customs-free within the union as products of Armenia.
"Nobody is going to put customs checkpoints between Karabakh and
Armenia," said Viktor Yadukha, a Russian commentator. "Karabakh
will de-facto join the customs union," he told Azerbaijan's Vesti.az
news site.
http://www.eurasianet.org/node/67852