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ARMENIA APPLIED FOR EURASIAN UNION MEMBERSHIP
WPS Agency, Russia
Oct 24 2013
by Tigran Oganesjan, Konstantin Volkov, Igor Yavlansky Source: Izvestia
(Moscow issue), No 200, October 24, 2013, p. 7
HIGHLIGHT: PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA WILL ATTEND THE MEETING OF THE SUPREME
EURASIAN ECONOMIC COUNCIL; Facing a choice between Russia and the
European Union, Armenia seems to have chosen Russia.
President Vladimir Putin Enhanced Coverage LinkingVladimir Putin
-Search using:Biographies Plus NewsNews, Most Recent 60 Dayswill
attend the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in
Minsk, the capital of Belarus. This structure is the primary body of
the Customs Union and the United Economic Zone comprising Russia,
Belarus, and Kazakhstan. Agenda of the meeting includes Armenia's
bid for membership in the Eurasian Economic Union.
President of Armenia Serj Sargsjan announced that Armenia wanted to be
a part of the Eurasian Economic Union in the wake of negotiations with
Putin in September. It had been thought before the negotiations that
official Yerevan might sign an agreement of association and another
on establishment of a free trade zone with the European Union at the
Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius on November 28 and 29.
Naira Zograbjan, chair of the Armenian parliament's permanent
commission for European integration, attributed the choice of the
Customs Union to national security considerations.
Zograbjan admitted that Brussels' scandalized reaction was surprising.
"Whether or not membership in both structures is compatible can only
be decided when we have all Customs Union documents," she said.
Sergei Mikheyev, Director General of the Political Situation Center,
said that Armenia's membership in the Customs Union was a distinct
possibility.
"The situation in Armenia greatly differs from that in Ukraine. There
is a sizeable pro-Western faction within the ruling Armenian elite.
There is a substantial Armenian diaspora in Europe that also promotes
rapprochement with the European Union. As for common people, they
stand for better relations with Russia. Being realists, they cannot
help knowing that membership in the Customs Union will benefit Armenia
way better."
"From Armenia's standpoint, there are no alternatives to Russia in the
sphere of national security. Not even NATO can challenge Russia there,"
said Tamara Kasianova, Senior Vice President of the Russian Club of
Financial Directors. "Should Yerevan opt for European integration,
Russia will withdraw its military bases from this country. In
other words, Armenia will barter the Russian defense umbrella for
the European but this latter has too many holes in it to suit the
Armenians."
The Armenian-Russian trade turnover in 2012 exceeded $1.2 billion
whereas trade with the European Union earned Armenia but $578.5
million. Russian investments in Armenian economy exceed $3 billion.
Moreover, the Armenians living and working in Russia transact nearly
$1.44 billion to their families at home every year. There are almost
1,300 businesses with Russian capitals in them in Armenia.
[Translated from Russian]
From: A. Papazian
WPS Agency, Russia
Oct 24 2013
by Tigran Oganesjan, Konstantin Volkov, Igor Yavlansky Source: Izvestia
(Moscow issue), No 200, October 24, 2013, p. 7
HIGHLIGHT: PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA WILL ATTEND THE MEETING OF THE SUPREME
EURASIAN ECONOMIC COUNCIL; Facing a choice between Russia and the
European Union, Armenia seems to have chosen Russia.
President Vladimir Putin Enhanced Coverage LinkingVladimir Putin
-Search using:Biographies Plus NewsNews, Most Recent 60 Dayswill
attend the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in
Minsk, the capital of Belarus. This structure is the primary body of
the Customs Union and the United Economic Zone comprising Russia,
Belarus, and Kazakhstan. Agenda of the meeting includes Armenia's
bid for membership in the Eurasian Economic Union.
President of Armenia Serj Sargsjan announced that Armenia wanted to be
a part of the Eurasian Economic Union in the wake of negotiations with
Putin in September. It had been thought before the negotiations that
official Yerevan might sign an agreement of association and another
on establishment of a free trade zone with the European Union at the
Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius on November 28 and 29.
Naira Zograbjan, chair of the Armenian parliament's permanent
commission for European integration, attributed the choice of the
Customs Union to national security considerations.
Zograbjan admitted that Brussels' scandalized reaction was surprising.
"Whether or not membership in both structures is compatible can only
be decided when we have all Customs Union documents," she said.
Sergei Mikheyev, Director General of the Political Situation Center,
said that Armenia's membership in the Customs Union was a distinct
possibility.
"The situation in Armenia greatly differs from that in Ukraine. There
is a sizeable pro-Western faction within the ruling Armenian elite.
There is a substantial Armenian diaspora in Europe that also promotes
rapprochement with the European Union. As for common people, they
stand for better relations with Russia. Being realists, they cannot
help knowing that membership in the Customs Union will benefit Armenia
way better."
"From Armenia's standpoint, there are no alternatives to Russia in the
sphere of national security. Not even NATO can challenge Russia there,"
said Tamara Kasianova, Senior Vice President of the Russian Club of
Financial Directors. "Should Yerevan opt for European integration,
Russia will withdraw its military bases from this country. In
other words, Armenia will barter the Russian defense umbrella for
the European but this latter has too many holes in it to suit the
Armenians."
The Armenian-Russian trade turnover in 2012 exceeded $1.2 billion
whereas trade with the European Union earned Armenia but $578.5
million. Russian investments in Armenian economy exceed $3 billion.
Moreover, the Armenians living and working in Russia transact nearly
$1.44 billion to their families at home every year. There are almost
1,300 businesses with Russian capitals in them in Armenia.
[Translated from Russian]
From: A. Papazian