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ARF STATEMENT ON ARMENIA JOINING CUSTOMS UNION
http://asbarez.com/113534/arf-statement-on-armenia-joining-customs-union/
Wednesday, September 4th, 2013
ARF
YEREVAN-The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Council of
Armenia on Wednesday issued an announcement regarding Armenia's
decision to join the Russian-led Eurasian Customs Union.
Below is the English translation of the announcement:
The announcement in Moscow, of Armenia's decision to join the Customs
Union was as much a landmark as it was a decision dictating great
responsibility for the future of Armenia. It is possible to assume that
at some point, considering the geopolitical state and developments,
Armenia would join the Customs Union initiated by its strategic ally
and would be included in the process of the formation of the Eurasian
Economic Union.
But the fact of the matter is that until the announcement in Moscow,
the authorities of the Republic of Armenia had not conveyed the
necessary information both to the public and to the political forces.
Furthermore, Armenia's membership in a Customs Union with which
Armenia does not share borders was regarded as impossible by the
authorities. For years the authorities negotiated with the European
Union about joining the Free Trade Zone and were on the brink of
finalizing the EU Association Agreement.
We can assume that the main reasons for the unexpected decision by
the President of the Republic of Armenia in Moscow were security
concerns related to Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. This
is an additional responsibility that at this stage will affect the
national and state foundations.
The President's decision has raised numerous questions within the
public.
For us, any given economic integration must provide guarantees for
the preservation and strengthening of the security of the Republics
of Armenia and Mountainous Karabakh and for the integration and
development of their economies. The issue of the Customs Union must
be also conditioned by these basic principles.
The joining in the Customs Union must not block the continuation
and expansion of Armenia's efforts toward the European vector, in
particular the process of our country's socio-political integration
with the European Union. In addition, the decision made in Moscow
cannot take out of the agenda the necessity of realizing systemic
reforms in the country and of creating with joint forces a national,
democratic, fair state.
We demand from Armenia's authorities to inform the public and include
the political parties in the decision making process before taking
similar, fateful decisions about our country. Now that the process
of joining the Customs Union shall begin, it is necessary to respect
this modus operandi.
ARF-D Supreme Council of Armenia
http://asbarez.com/113534/arf-statement-on-armenia-joining-customs-union/
Wednesday, September 4th, 2013
ARF
YEREVAN-The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Council of
Armenia on Wednesday issued an announcement regarding Armenia's
decision to join the Russian-led Eurasian Customs Union.
Below is the English translation of the announcement:
The announcement in Moscow, of Armenia's decision to join the Customs
Union was as much a landmark as it was a decision dictating great
responsibility for the future of Armenia. It is possible to assume that
at some point, considering the geopolitical state and developments,
Armenia would join the Customs Union initiated by its strategic ally
and would be included in the process of the formation of the Eurasian
Economic Union.
But the fact of the matter is that until the announcement in Moscow,
the authorities of the Republic of Armenia had not conveyed the
necessary information both to the public and to the political forces.
Furthermore, Armenia's membership in a Customs Union with which
Armenia does not share borders was regarded as impossible by the
authorities. For years the authorities negotiated with the European
Union about joining the Free Trade Zone and were on the brink of
finalizing the EU Association Agreement.
We can assume that the main reasons for the unexpected decision by
the President of the Republic of Armenia in Moscow were security
concerns related to Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. This
is an additional responsibility that at this stage will affect the
national and state foundations.
The President's decision has raised numerous questions within the
public.
For us, any given economic integration must provide guarantees for
the preservation and strengthening of the security of the Republics
of Armenia and Mountainous Karabakh and for the integration and
development of their economies. The issue of the Customs Union must
be also conditioned by these basic principles.
The joining in the Customs Union must not block the continuation
and expansion of Armenia's efforts toward the European vector, in
particular the process of our country's socio-political integration
with the European Union. In addition, the decision made in Moscow
cannot take out of the agenda the necessity of realizing systemic
reforms in the country and of creating with joint forces a national,
democratic, fair state.
We demand from Armenia's authorities to inform the public and include
the political parties in the decision making process before taking
similar, fateful decisions about our country. Now that the process
of joining the Customs Union shall begin, it is necessary to respect
this modus operandi.
ARF-D Supreme Council of Armenia