Tweet
ARMENIA AND CUSTOMS UNION: EXPERT ON COUNTRY'S PROSPECTS
20:42 ~U 23.10.13
On the eve of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council's summit to open
in Minsk, Belarus, on Thursday, Chairman of the Political Scientists'
Union of Armenia Hmayak Hovhannisyan answered Tert.am's questions.
- President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has stated that Armenia
can by no means join the Customs Union during the next two years. Is
it Russia's "message" to Armenia?
- First, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has stated that,
to become a full member of the Customs Union, Armenia has to accede
to all the normative documents and agreements that have been adopted
by the Customs Union member-states. So it will require time, but
the Belarusian president did not elaborate on the matter. You must
admit that Alexander Lukashenko cannot say how much time it may take
Armenia's parliament to discuss and ratify about fifty agreements.
Even Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan cannot guarantee efficiency on
the part of our National Assembly, to say nothing of the Belarusian
president.
As regards the Belarusian president's opinion voiced during his
meeting with journalists and it being perceived as Russia's "message,"
I should say that it is a false perception. It would be naïve to think
that Russia needs to talk to Armenia by means of "messages." Armenia
is not Georgia for Russia, and it is not talking to Armenia through
a third state leader's mediation.
- Armenia's minister of economy has expressed hope that a document on
Armenia-EU cooperation will be signed in Vilnius, but more specific
information on the document is not available. What's your opinion?
- Four-year-long cooperation with the European Union (EU) must not
be viewed as an adventure. Huge sums were spent on the officials
that carried out the relevant work, including officials of Armenia's
Ministry of Economy. They must justify the expenses, which cannot
be done by wishing a Happy New Year. They must think of providing
citizens with food, and it is the function of the Ministry of Economy.
Unfortunately, we are not making progress.
- What are the potential consequences of the two sides' positions
for Armenia? Is it not pressure?
- First of all, I cannot understand what you mean by "pressure."
Everything depends on the country's official position. But it is the
president of an authoritarian state that determines this official
position. So I am not surprised at the officials who, before September
3, stated they would never yield to pressure have since September 3
been stating that the long discussions convinced them of the benefits
of Armenia's accession to the Customs Union.
Armenian News - Tert.am
From: Baghdasarian
20:42 ~U 23.10.13
On the eve of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council's summit to open
in Minsk, Belarus, on Thursday, Chairman of the Political Scientists'
Union of Armenia Hmayak Hovhannisyan answered Tert.am's questions.
- President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has stated that Armenia
can by no means join the Customs Union during the next two years. Is
it Russia's "message" to Armenia?
- First, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has stated that,
to become a full member of the Customs Union, Armenia has to accede
to all the normative documents and agreements that have been adopted
by the Customs Union member-states. So it will require time, but
the Belarusian president did not elaborate on the matter. You must
admit that Alexander Lukashenko cannot say how much time it may take
Armenia's parliament to discuss and ratify about fifty agreements.
Even Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan cannot guarantee efficiency on
the part of our National Assembly, to say nothing of the Belarusian
president.
As regards the Belarusian president's opinion voiced during his
meeting with journalists and it being perceived as Russia's "message,"
I should say that it is a false perception. It would be naïve to think
that Russia needs to talk to Armenia by means of "messages." Armenia
is not Georgia for Russia, and it is not talking to Armenia through
a third state leader's mediation.
- Armenia's minister of economy has expressed hope that a document on
Armenia-EU cooperation will be signed in Vilnius, but more specific
information on the document is not available. What's your opinion?
- Four-year-long cooperation with the European Union (EU) must not
be viewed as an adventure. Huge sums were spent on the officials
that carried out the relevant work, including officials of Armenia's
Ministry of Economy. They must justify the expenses, which cannot
be done by wishing a Happy New Year. They must think of providing
citizens with food, and it is the function of the Ministry of Economy.
Unfortunately, we are not making progress.
- What are the potential consequences of the two sides' positions
for Armenia? Is it not pressure?
- First of all, I cannot understand what you mean by "pressure."
Everything depends on the country's official position. But it is the
president of an authoritarian state that determines this official
position. So I am not surprised at the officials who, before September
3, stated they would never yield to pressure have since September 3
been stating that the long discussions convinced them of the benefits
of Armenia's accession to the Customs Union.
Armenian News - Tert.am
From: Baghdasarian