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ARMENIA SET TO JOIN RUSSIA-LED CUSTOMS UNION IN BLOW TO EU
EuroNews, France
Sept 4 2013
04/09 18:35 CET
Armenia is turning its back on Europe with a decision to join a
Russia-led customs union.
The country is going with its former soviet master instead of signing
up to a European free trade agreement - dealing a blow to the EU's
Eastern Partnership policy.
The decision came after Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met with
his counterpart Vladimir Putin.
"We have exchanged opinions on issues of Eurasian integration,"
said Sargsyan.
"And I confirmed Armenia's wish to enter the customs union and to
join the process of forming of the Eurasian Economic Union."
If all goes to plan, Armenia will join not only join Russia in the
union, but also Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Charles Tannock, a British Conservative MEP, said Russia had been using
"extreme bullying tactics" with its neighbours.
"I understand that the President of Armenia went to Moscow, was
summoned by President Putin, and told that if he went ahead with his
euro-atlantic aspirations, in terms of getting closer to the EU by
having this free trade agreement, that would be the end of Russian
security guarantees," he said.
Armenia's decision is a political boost for Putin, who is struggling
to stop Ukraine from turning towards the European Union.
http://www.euronews.com/2013/09/04/armenia-set-to-join-russia-led-customs-union-in-blow-to-eu/
EuroNews, France
Sept 4 2013
04/09 18:35 CET
Armenia is turning its back on Europe with a decision to join a
Russia-led customs union.
The country is going with its former soviet master instead of signing
up to a European free trade agreement - dealing a blow to the EU's
Eastern Partnership policy.
The decision came after Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met with
his counterpart Vladimir Putin.
"We have exchanged opinions on issues of Eurasian integration,"
said Sargsyan.
"And I confirmed Armenia's wish to enter the customs union and to
join the process of forming of the Eurasian Economic Union."
If all goes to plan, Armenia will join not only join Russia in the
union, but also Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Charles Tannock, a British Conservative MEP, said Russia had been using
"extreme bullying tactics" with its neighbours.
"I understand that the President of Armenia went to Moscow, was
summoned by President Putin, and told that if he went ahead with his
euro-atlantic aspirations, in terms of getting closer to the EU by
having this free trade agreement, that would be the end of Russian
security guarantees," he said.
Armenia's decision is a political boost for Putin, who is struggling
to stop Ukraine from turning towards the European Union.
http://www.euronews.com/2013/09/04/armenia-set-to-join-russia-led-customs-union-in-blow-to-eu/