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CUSTOMS UNION PROPOSAL WOULD BE IN ORDINARY ARMENIANS' INTERESTS, SAYS EX-PRESIDENTIAL RUNNER
18:13 ~U 30.05.13
In contrast to the ruling elite, the proposal for joining the
Customs Union would offer advantages to ordinary Armenian citizens,
an ex-presidential candidate has said, dismissing earlier allegations
that the absence of a direct border with Russia could be an obstacle
to such efforts.
"The topic is of a little significance to Armenia too because in case
of joining the Customs Union we would export everything from the
country at a zero percent interest rate and likewise carry out the
import on Armenia's border. And who is interested in levying taxes on
border? Of course our government; hence the leadership will make no
step towards lifting the border custom fees," the political analyst,
Andrias Ghukasyan, told Tert.am.
"That's a fundamental clause of the government system," he explained.
"That's how the present-day elite, authorities and the regime keep
the economic sector under control. What will Serzh Sargsyan do should
the border become transparent? Who can he do a favor in terms of
importing a product? Of course, no one. We must be realistic [to see]
who it offers advantages to."
The expert believes that Russia, as a power generating country, would
take more advantages from selling taxed oil and natural gas. "Why
should Russia or Turkmenistan, which have power generating resources,
have an interest in the Customs Union? They might as well impose
taxes on their gas and oil before selling them to us," he explained.
Ghukasyan said the Customs Union deal has been at issue since 1993.
"We would take a superficial approach to those processes which were
controversial since inception. The Soviet Union's split into Soviet
nations gave guarantees that the exchange of goods and people inside
the Soviet Union should not be overloaded with customs or other
procedures. The absence of a customs union has been always to the
advantage of countries having power-generating resources. [The Customs
Union] would not offer advantages to those newly- established countries
that used to oppose to customs 'barriers' inside the Soviet Union,"
the former candidate said, adding that it isn't realistic to speak
about the plan 20 years after the USSR's collapse.
"In case Armenia joins the any customs union, which implies no customs
clearance of products transported across the border, that will signal
a change of government. The incumbent authorities will never do such
a thing," he added.
But Ghukasyan expressed a disagreement to the political opinion that
Russia is concerned over Armenia's EU integration efforts. "Armenia
can never turn to Europe because Armenia's elite has a certain past,
which is criminal," he added.
Asked how then he would explain the plan for imposing higher natural
gas tariffs on Armenia, Ghukasyan ruled out Russia's impact on
such a decision. He described it as the Armenian authorities'
plan offering them the shortest way to increase the budgetary
revenues. "The government is not capable of creating conditions
for economic development, that's why it had to lay the burden on
the population through raising the gas prices and thus ensuring the
increase in state revenues," he said, adding that any surge in prices
in the past 20 years has been the government's initiative.
But the expert noted that the deepening crisis between Armenia and
Russia is obvious. He said it is impossible to have a constructive
dialogue in either the EurAsEc (Eurasian Economic Comminity) or
the EU integration efforts. "The same questions - whether Russia,
Iran or Turkey are good - will be based on some common emotional
and very superficial opinions. That isn't a way for developing a
statement of question. What is first of all necessary for the nation
is a willingness and aspiration to live independently in terms of
both security and economic perspectives. It is necessary for every
nation in this era to be able to independently manufacture food and
clothing and create urban development conditions. Anyone not capable
of creating something is not competitive in the world," Ghukasyan
said in conclusion.
Armenian News - Tert.am
18:13 ~U 30.05.13
In contrast to the ruling elite, the proposal for joining the
Customs Union would offer advantages to ordinary Armenian citizens,
an ex-presidential candidate has said, dismissing earlier allegations
that the absence of a direct border with Russia could be an obstacle
to such efforts.
"The topic is of a little significance to Armenia too because in case
of joining the Customs Union we would export everything from the
country at a zero percent interest rate and likewise carry out the
import on Armenia's border. And who is interested in levying taxes on
border? Of course our government; hence the leadership will make no
step towards lifting the border custom fees," the political analyst,
Andrias Ghukasyan, told Tert.am.
"That's a fundamental clause of the government system," he explained.
"That's how the present-day elite, authorities and the regime keep
the economic sector under control. What will Serzh Sargsyan do should
the border become transparent? Who can he do a favor in terms of
importing a product? Of course, no one. We must be realistic [to see]
who it offers advantages to."
The expert believes that Russia, as a power generating country, would
take more advantages from selling taxed oil and natural gas. "Why
should Russia or Turkmenistan, which have power generating resources,
have an interest in the Customs Union? They might as well impose
taxes on their gas and oil before selling them to us," he explained.
Ghukasyan said the Customs Union deal has been at issue since 1993.
"We would take a superficial approach to those processes which were
controversial since inception. The Soviet Union's split into Soviet
nations gave guarantees that the exchange of goods and people inside
the Soviet Union should not be overloaded with customs or other
procedures. The absence of a customs union has been always to the
advantage of countries having power-generating resources. [The Customs
Union] would not offer advantages to those newly- established countries
that used to oppose to customs 'barriers' inside the Soviet Union,"
the former candidate said, adding that it isn't realistic to speak
about the plan 20 years after the USSR's collapse.
"In case Armenia joins the any customs union, which implies no customs
clearance of products transported across the border, that will signal
a change of government. The incumbent authorities will never do such
a thing," he added.
But Ghukasyan expressed a disagreement to the political opinion that
Russia is concerned over Armenia's EU integration efforts. "Armenia
can never turn to Europe because Armenia's elite has a certain past,
which is criminal," he added.
Asked how then he would explain the plan for imposing higher natural
gas tariffs on Armenia, Ghukasyan ruled out Russia's impact on
such a decision. He described it as the Armenian authorities'
plan offering them the shortest way to increase the budgetary
revenues. "The government is not capable of creating conditions
for economic development, that's why it had to lay the burden on
the population through raising the gas prices and thus ensuring the
increase in state revenues," he said, adding that any surge in prices
in the past 20 years has been the government's initiative.
But the expert noted that the deepening crisis between Armenia and
Russia is obvious. He said it is impossible to have a constructive
dialogue in either the EurAsEc (Eurasian Economic Comminity) or
the EU integration efforts. "The same questions - whether Russia,
Iran or Turkey are good - will be based on some common emotional
and very superficial opinions. That isn't a way for developing a
statement of question. What is first of all necessary for the nation
is a willingness and aspiration to live independently in terms of
both security and economic perspectives. It is necessary for every
nation in this era to be able to independently manufacture food and
clothing and create urban development conditions. Anyone not capable
of creating something is not competitive in the world," Ghukasyan
said in conclusion.
Armenian News - Tert.am