Tweet
Association agreement means no serious changes for Armenia - expert
20:43 - 05.07.13
Armen Badalyan, an expert in political technologies, believes that the
issue of Armenia's signing an association agreement with the European
Union (EU) or joining the Eurasian Union and Customs Union is being
artificially exaggerated in Armenia.
`The statements on Armenia's intention to sign an association
agreement are not so important as they are claimed to be by the local
mass media, namely, that singing the agreement would imply Armenia's
completely separating from Russia and retaining its independence by
not joining the Customs, Union, and so on. Claims that signing the
agreement will facilitate Armenia's democratic development are
unfounded as well,' Badalyan told Tert.am as he commented on Yerevan
clarifying the issue.
`By signing the agreement Armenia will not get out of Russia's
control. Russia is exercising great influence, especially in terms of
its military bases. No one has cancelled an agreement with the
Collective Security Treaty Organization. Armenia's energy system is
owned by Russia so this document does not promise any serious changes
to Armenia,' the expert said.
The problem is that Armenia's customs border will become an external
border for the other Customs Union member-states should Armenia join
it. There would be no problem if this principle applied to the customs
borders with Georgia and Iran. But the Customs Union member-states
demand that Armenia establish a border with Nagorno-Karabakh. That is
Armenia may join the Customs Union only with internationally
recognized borders, Badalyan said.
Neither Russia nor the West recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh. So Armenia
may only join the Customs Union without Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenian News - Tert.am
20:43 - 05.07.13
Armen Badalyan, an expert in political technologies, believes that the
issue of Armenia's signing an association agreement with the European
Union (EU) or joining the Eurasian Union and Customs Union is being
artificially exaggerated in Armenia.
`The statements on Armenia's intention to sign an association
agreement are not so important as they are claimed to be by the local
mass media, namely, that singing the agreement would imply Armenia's
completely separating from Russia and retaining its independence by
not joining the Customs, Union, and so on. Claims that signing the
agreement will facilitate Armenia's democratic development are
unfounded as well,' Badalyan told Tert.am as he commented on Yerevan
clarifying the issue.
`By signing the agreement Armenia will not get out of Russia's
control. Russia is exercising great influence, especially in terms of
its military bases. No one has cancelled an agreement with the
Collective Security Treaty Organization. Armenia's energy system is
owned by Russia so this document does not promise any serious changes
to Armenia,' the expert said.
The problem is that Armenia's customs border will become an external
border for the other Customs Union member-states should Armenia join
it. There would be no problem if this principle applied to the customs
borders with Georgia and Iran. But the Customs Union member-states
demand that Armenia establish a border with Nagorno-Karabakh. That is
Armenia may join the Customs Union only with internationally
recognized borders, Badalyan said.
Neither Russia nor the West recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh. So Armenia
may only join the Customs Union without Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenian News - Tert.am