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ARMENIA OUTSIDE EUROPEAN INTEGRATION PROCESS - ARARAT ZURABYAN
17:51 08.10.13
By deciding in favor of the Customs Union, Armenia made a choice of
civilization and remained outside the process of integration with
Europe, Ararat Zurabyan, a member of the action group for a new
Pan-Armenian National Movement party, told journalists on Tuesday.
He is surprised at the U-turn Armenia made on September 3, whereas
it had pursued a pro-European policy before.
Integration into Europe was of paramount importance for Armenia and
would have brought about radical changes in the situation.
"Unfortunately, we remained outside the process. But Ukraine, Moldova
and Georgia go on and Association Agreements with them are likely to
be initialed or signed," Zurabyan said.
The first loss on this way is President Serzh Sagsyan's promise of
wage increase.
"He promised a double increase in wages from January 1, 2013. Later,
when it was clear Armenia would move toward the Customs Union, the
prime minister stated the wages would be raised 40% from next summer,"
Zurabyan said.
It should be noted that Armenia's president promised a double increase
in wages by 2017, that is, a gradual increase from January 1, 2014
to 2017.
With respect to a possible demand for a checkpoint on Armenia's border
with Nagorno-Karabakh in the case of both an Association Agreement
with the European Union (EU) and membership in the Customs Union,
Zurabyan said that European officials gave the best answer by stating
they are well aware that products manufactured in Nagorno-Karabakh
are exported as if made in Armenia, with no problems so far.
Armenian News - Tert.am
From: Baghdasarian
17:51 08.10.13
By deciding in favor of the Customs Union, Armenia made a choice of
civilization and remained outside the process of integration with
Europe, Ararat Zurabyan, a member of the action group for a new
Pan-Armenian National Movement party, told journalists on Tuesday.
He is surprised at the U-turn Armenia made on September 3, whereas
it had pursued a pro-European policy before.
Integration into Europe was of paramount importance for Armenia and
would have brought about radical changes in the situation.
"Unfortunately, we remained outside the process. But Ukraine, Moldova
and Georgia go on and Association Agreements with them are likely to
be initialed or signed," Zurabyan said.
The first loss on this way is President Serzh Sagsyan's promise of
wage increase.
"He promised a double increase in wages from January 1, 2013. Later,
when it was clear Armenia would move toward the Customs Union, the
prime minister stated the wages would be raised 40% from next summer,"
Zurabyan said.
It should be noted that Armenia's president promised a double increase
in wages by 2017, that is, a gradual increase from January 1, 2014
to 2017.
With respect to a possible demand for a checkpoint on Armenia's border
with Nagorno-Karabakh in the case of both an Association Agreement
with the European Union (EU) and membership in the Customs Union,
Zurabyan said that European officials gave the best answer by stating
they are well aware that products manufactured in Nagorno-Karabakh
are exported as if made in Armenia, with no problems so far.
Armenian News - Tert.am
From: Baghdasarian