EXPERT: ARMENIA'S DECISION TO JOIN CUSTOMS UNION WILL BENEFIT ALL ITS MEMBERS
Belarusian Telegraph Agency
Sept 4 2013
04.09.2013 16:08
MINSK, 4 September (BelTA) - Armenia's decision to join the Customs
Union makes economic sense and will benefit all its members, Doctor of
Economics, head of the economic policy sub-department at the Belarusian
State Economic University, Professor Alexander Bondar said commenting
on the statement by Armenia's President Serzh Sargsyan about Armenia's
plans to join the Customs Union and take part in the formation of
the Eurasian Economic Union.
"It is interesting and economically beneficial for Armenia and
the existing members of the Customs Union. The accession of new
members promises more export opportunities and will help address
import-substitution targets," Alexander Bondar said. The Customs
Union member states have the single customs territory with no customs
duties and economic restrictions, which considerably facilitates
product promotion and sales.
"Integration is gaining momentum on the group level. It is sometimes
hard to penetrate the market of the European Union, but by expanding
and strengthening the Customs Union we are creating our own market
that might grow strong enough to rival the EU market and become its
partner. Therefore, when the Customs Union strengthens its positions,
there will be more areas of common interest and more opportunities to
develop partner relations. We are expanding integration, building up
our capacities and creating additional opportunities," the expert said.
Speaking about a possibility of Ukraine's accession to the Customs
Union Alexander Bondar noted that so far Ukraine has an observer status
in the Eurasian Economic Community and is an important trading partner
of the Customs Union member states. The expert said that much will
depend on how visible the efficiency of the Customs Union will be,
because it will allow demonstrating the advantages of being a Customs
Union member. "It will need time. The Customs Union will first welcome
Armenia, and some time later the country will see economic advantages
of its membership in the Customs Union," he said.
At present the Customs Union comprises Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan.
Ukraine's Nikolai Azarov announced Ukraine's willingness to join the
Customs Union agreement on removing technical barriers in mutual trade
with the CIS member states that are not members of the Customs Union.
http://news.belta.by/en/news/econom?id=725342
Belarusian Telegraph Agency
Sept 4 2013
04.09.2013 16:08
MINSK, 4 September (BelTA) - Armenia's decision to join the Customs
Union makes economic sense and will benefit all its members, Doctor of
Economics, head of the economic policy sub-department at the Belarusian
State Economic University, Professor Alexander Bondar said commenting
on the statement by Armenia's President Serzh Sargsyan about Armenia's
plans to join the Customs Union and take part in the formation of
the Eurasian Economic Union.
"It is interesting and economically beneficial for Armenia and
the existing members of the Customs Union. The accession of new
members promises more export opportunities and will help address
import-substitution targets," Alexander Bondar said. The Customs
Union member states have the single customs territory with no customs
duties and economic restrictions, which considerably facilitates
product promotion and sales.
"Integration is gaining momentum on the group level. It is sometimes
hard to penetrate the market of the European Union, but by expanding
and strengthening the Customs Union we are creating our own market
that might grow strong enough to rival the EU market and become its
partner. Therefore, when the Customs Union strengthens its positions,
there will be more areas of common interest and more opportunities to
develop partner relations. We are expanding integration, building up
our capacities and creating additional opportunities," the expert said.
Speaking about a possibility of Ukraine's accession to the Customs
Union Alexander Bondar noted that so far Ukraine has an observer status
in the Eurasian Economic Community and is an important trading partner
of the Customs Union member states. The expert said that much will
depend on how visible the efficiency of the Customs Union will be,
because it will allow demonstrating the advantages of being a Customs
Union member. "It will need time. The Customs Union will first welcome
Armenia, and some time later the country will see economic advantages
of its membership in the Customs Union," he said.
At present the Customs Union comprises Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan.
Ukraine's Nikolai Azarov announced Ukraine's willingness to join the
Customs Union agreement on removing technical barriers in mutual trade
with the CIS member states that are not members of the Customs Union.
http://news.belta.by/en/news/econom?id=725342