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EDUARD SHARMAZANOV: EUROPE'S RESPONSE TO ARMENIA'S ACCESSION TO CUSTOMS UNION WAS RADICAL
ArmInfo's interview with Eduard Sharmazanov, Vice Chairman of the
Armenian National Assembly, Spokesperson of the Republican Party
of Armenia
by Tatevik Shahunyan
Wednesday, November 27, 13:50
Mr. Sharmazanov, ahead of the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius
on Nov 28-29, what is your assessment of the Armenia-EU relations?
- In the run-up to the Vilnius Summit, the Armenia-EU relations can
be qualified as constructive. Furthermore, these relations have a
potential for further development.
Mr. Sharmazanov, do you have any information on the format or level
of Armenia's participation in the Summit in Vilnius? Do Armenia-EU
relations depend on who will represent Armenia at the Summit?
- I think, I am sure that after the Summit in Vilnius the Armenia-EU
relations, especially their political component will go on developing.
Mr. Vice Speaker, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to
visit Armenia on December 2. Do you share the views that the Russian
president was intentionally delaying his visit to Armenia waiting
for Yerevan's agreement to access the CU?
- I don't share these views, as neither official Yerevan not Moscow
had confirmed the earlier media announcements on Putin's visit. The
date of the visit has been officially announced. It is December 2. And
the visit will take place. Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit
to Armenia will give a fresh impetus to promotion of cooperation
between the two countries in a variety of dimensions.
Anti-Russian sentiments are growing in Armenia ahead of Putin's
visit to Armenia. It is rumored that Armenia has turned into Russia's
colony by accessing the CU under pressure of Moscow. Many call this
an elementary economic deal, a kind of reverence in change for gas
tariff subsidies...
- To assess Armenia's accession to the Customs Union as an economic
deal to subsidize the gas tariffs is a lack of political foresight.
Integration into the Customs Union opens up new possibilities for
Armenia in terms of both economic and security issues. If we look at
Armenia's foreign trade turnover, we can see that Armenia's commodities
are mostly exported in the Eurasian direction. As for Europe, it
consumes mostly Armenian raw materials - copper, molybdenum¬, etc.,
which are in demand regardless of whether we have an Association
Agreement with the European Union or not. As regards security,
such a small country as Armenia cannot resist all the threats all by
itself. Therefore, it should be a part of a certain security system,
in this particular case - a part of the CSTO.
As for the anti-Russian sentiments, Armenia is a democratic country
where everyone has the right to express his or her point of view. But
I should point out that the anti-Russian sentiments often come from
the marginal political circles and one should not take them seriously.
This resembles a tempest in a teapot.
Mr. Sharmazanov, you have brought so many advantages of Armenia's
accession to the Customs Union. Didn't Armenia realize all the
beauty of Eurasian integration four years ago, before starting the
negotiations for the Association with EU?
-We have always developed cooperation in the Eurasian dimension.
Moreover, I should remind those, who did not expect Serzh Sargsyan
to take the Sept 3 decision, of Sargsyan's pre-electoral interview
with Vesti Nedeli about the integration processes in the Customs
Union. I think if they watch that interview once again, they will
understand that the statement on the Customs Union membership was
not spontaneous. Yerevan has never said that it would build relations
with Europe at the expense of partnership with Russia. We have always
advocated deepening relations with Europe and promoting partnership
with Russia.
If the September 3 decision was not spontaneous, at least, for the
ruling camp, Europe's reaction to it was a real surprise. "Actually"
Europe does not share Yerevan's stance on simultaneous integration
into two different structures...
- A professional politician is never surprised. Everything must be
foreseen. However, Europe's reaction was unfounded, at least for me.
Right after Brussels' statements that it is impossible to sign
an Association Agreement between Armenia and the European Union
amid the republic's integration into the Customs Union, Yerevan
suggested continuing the cooperation in the political component of
the Association Agreement. Brussels' response was radical first,
but Yerevan's suggestion has given some results, because Armenia
and the EU are currently working at a joint document on cooperation,
and it is most likely to be signed in Vilnius. Germany's Ambassador
to Armenia has expressed such confidence, at least.
Addressing to the Karabakh issue...President of Armenia said in a
statement after his meeting with Ilham Aliyev that the latter is
willing to resolve the conflict, but it is insufficient. What else
do we need to resolve the conflict?
- Willingness is not enough. Here we need to find common grounds based
on the principles of self-determination right, territorial integrity
and nonuse of force. And one more thing Azerbaijan must realize is
that no final settlement is possible without Nagorno-Karabakh's
direct participation in the peace talks. Since the Kazan meeting
there has been certain progress in Azerbaijan's attitude towards
the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. At least, the Azeri President made no
bellicose anti-Armenian statements after the last meeting with his
Armenian counterpart.
Mr. Sharmazanov, Ankara has recently intensified its efforts towards
integration into the Karabakh peace process. Turkey offers its
involvement into the process at all international structures. After
their recent talks with Putin and Kerry, Erdogan and Davutoglu came
out for the necessity of developing measures to resolve the Karabakh
conflict by combined efforts of Ankara, Moscow and Washington. Moscow
and Washington did not respond to that. Does it mean that Ankara is
gradually enlisting support of Russia and USA?
- Turks should first solve their problems with their neighbors. Their
involvement is out of question as long as they show a one-sided
attitude and support to Azerbaijan.
Mr. Sharmazanov, what about domestic political situation in the
country? Is it stable, tense but stable or explosive?
- Not explosive. It is stable with elements of tension rather than
tense. Such tension is natural for a country where 35% of people
are poor.
Don't you think that the situation in the country has deteriorated
over the past years? The public discontent is on the rise. Protest
actions and public unrest have become very frequent. Don't you think
that the reason is the deteriorating social conditions of the people?
- I respect public protest actions if they are spontaneous rather
than orchestrated by somebody. Democracy implies civil society. One
more reason why public activity is on the rise now is that the key
opposition forces are on the fringe and have no more influence on
the public opinion.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=BCFF6AF0-5751-11E3-84DB0EB7C0D21663
ArmInfo's interview with Eduard Sharmazanov, Vice Chairman of the
Armenian National Assembly, Spokesperson of the Republican Party
of Armenia
by Tatevik Shahunyan
Wednesday, November 27, 13:50
Mr. Sharmazanov, ahead of the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius
on Nov 28-29, what is your assessment of the Armenia-EU relations?
- In the run-up to the Vilnius Summit, the Armenia-EU relations can
be qualified as constructive. Furthermore, these relations have a
potential for further development.
Mr. Sharmazanov, do you have any information on the format or level
of Armenia's participation in the Summit in Vilnius? Do Armenia-EU
relations depend on who will represent Armenia at the Summit?
- I think, I am sure that after the Summit in Vilnius the Armenia-EU
relations, especially their political component will go on developing.
Mr. Vice Speaker, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to
visit Armenia on December 2. Do you share the views that the Russian
president was intentionally delaying his visit to Armenia waiting
for Yerevan's agreement to access the CU?
- I don't share these views, as neither official Yerevan not Moscow
had confirmed the earlier media announcements on Putin's visit. The
date of the visit has been officially announced. It is December 2. And
the visit will take place. Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit
to Armenia will give a fresh impetus to promotion of cooperation
between the two countries in a variety of dimensions.
Anti-Russian sentiments are growing in Armenia ahead of Putin's
visit to Armenia. It is rumored that Armenia has turned into Russia's
colony by accessing the CU under pressure of Moscow. Many call this
an elementary economic deal, a kind of reverence in change for gas
tariff subsidies...
- To assess Armenia's accession to the Customs Union as an economic
deal to subsidize the gas tariffs is a lack of political foresight.
Integration into the Customs Union opens up new possibilities for
Armenia in terms of both economic and security issues. If we look at
Armenia's foreign trade turnover, we can see that Armenia's commodities
are mostly exported in the Eurasian direction. As for Europe, it
consumes mostly Armenian raw materials - copper, molybdenum¬, etc.,
which are in demand regardless of whether we have an Association
Agreement with the European Union or not. As regards security,
such a small country as Armenia cannot resist all the threats all by
itself. Therefore, it should be a part of a certain security system,
in this particular case - a part of the CSTO.
As for the anti-Russian sentiments, Armenia is a democratic country
where everyone has the right to express his or her point of view. But
I should point out that the anti-Russian sentiments often come from
the marginal political circles and one should not take them seriously.
This resembles a tempest in a teapot.
Mr. Sharmazanov, you have brought so many advantages of Armenia's
accession to the Customs Union. Didn't Armenia realize all the
beauty of Eurasian integration four years ago, before starting the
negotiations for the Association with EU?
-We have always developed cooperation in the Eurasian dimension.
Moreover, I should remind those, who did not expect Serzh Sargsyan
to take the Sept 3 decision, of Sargsyan's pre-electoral interview
with Vesti Nedeli about the integration processes in the Customs
Union. I think if they watch that interview once again, they will
understand that the statement on the Customs Union membership was
not spontaneous. Yerevan has never said that it would build relations
with Europe at the expense of partnership with Russia. We have always
advocated deepening relations with Europe and promoting partnership
with Russia.
If the September 3 decision was not spontaneous, at least, for the
ruling camp, Europe's reaction to it was a real surprise. "Actually"
Europe does not share Yerevan's stance on simultaneous integration
into two different structures...
- A professional politician is never surprised. Everything must be
foreseen. However, Europe's reaction was unfounded, at least for me.
Right after Brussels' statements that it is impossible to sign
an Association Agreement between Armenia and the European Union
amid the republic's integration into the Customs Union, Yerevan
suggested continuing the cooperation in the political component of
the Association Agreement. Brussels' response was radical first,
but Yerevan's suggestion has given some results, because Armenia
and the EU are currently working at a joint document on cooperation,
and it is most likely to be signed in Vilnius. Germany's Ambassador
to Armenia has expressed such confidence, at least.
Addressing to the Karabakh issue...President of Armenia said in a
statement after his meeting with Ilham Aliyev that the latter is
willing to resolve the conflict, but it is insufficient. What else
do we need to resolve the conflict?
- Willingness is not enough. Here we need to find common grounds based
on the principles of self-determination right, territorial integrity
and nonuse of force. And one more thing Azerbaijan must realize is
that no final settlement is possible without Nagorno-Karabakh's
direct participation in the peace talks. Since the Kazan meeting
there has been certain progress in Azerbaijan's attitude towards
the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. At least, the Azeri President made no
bellicose anti-Armenian statements after the last meeting with his
Armenian counterpart.
Mr. Sharmazanov, Ankara has recently intensified its efforts towards
integration into the Karabakh peace process. Turkey offers its
involvement into the process at all international structures. After
their recent talks with Putin and Kerry, Erdogan and Davutoglu came
out for the necessity of developing measures to resolve the Karabakh
conflict by combined efforts of Ankara, Moscow and Washington. Moscow
and Washington did not respond to that. Does it mean that Ankara is
gradually enlisting support of Russia and USA?
- Turks should first solve their problems with their neighbors. Their
involvement is out of question as long as they show a one-sided
attitude and support to Azerbaijan.
Mr. Sharmazanov, what about domestic political situation in the
country? Is it stable, tense but stable or explosive?
- Not explosive. It is stable with elements of tension rather than
tense. Such tension is natural for a country where 35% of people
are poor.
Don't you think that the situation in the country has deteriorated
over the past years? The public discontent is on the rise. Protest
actions and public unrest have become very frequent. Don't you think
that the reason is the deteriorating social conditions of the people?
- I respect public protest actions if they are spontaneous rather
than orchestrated by somebody. Democracy implies civil society. One
more reason why public activity is on the rise now is that the key
opposition forces are on the fringe and have no more influence on
the public opinion.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=BCFF6AF0-5751-11E3-84DB0EB7C0D21663