Tweet
ARMENIA, GEORGIA AND THE CUSTOMS UNION
18:54 05.09.2013
Armenia, Customs Union, Georgia
Gita Elibekyan
"Radiolur"
Armenia could have problems with Georgia after joining the Russia-led
Customs Union, taking into consideration the free trade agreement
between the two countries, some Georgian politicians say. At the same
time, they consider that Armenia and Georgia are able to find a rapid
solution to all merging problems.
As for the perspectives of Georgia's membership in the Customs Union,
experts say its hardly possible and consider that yesterday's statement
of PM Bidzina Ivanishvili was a gesture to Russia.
One day after Armenia said it will join Russia's Eurasian Union,
Georgia's PM said it might, in due course, do the same. The remark
puzzle d the Georgian politicians and analysts. The issue of joining
the Customs Union had never been considered in Georgia before.
However, some politicians, mostly from the opposition, consider that
the PM's statement puts the issue on the agenda.
Representative of President Mikhail Saakashvili's United National
Movement Party David Darchiashvili says there could be two explanations
to Ivanishvili's statement. "First, it may be the result of lack of
experience. Second, there could be a force behind these words trying
to change the political course of the country."
Members of the Prime Minister's Georgian Dream bloc view the statement
as a step targeted at improving the relations with Russia. One of the
leaders of the Republican Party Levan Berdenishvili noted that "PM
Ivanishvili says we can discuss all unions, but that does not mean
we're going to join them." "Besides, the Prime Minister is leaving
politics," he added.
"As member of the Georgian Parliament, I declare that Georgia does
not have the intention to join the Customs Union or the Eurasian Union.
Georgia opts for the EU and NATO," he told Public Radio of Armenia. He
added that the situation with Armenia is unique, and this should be
taken into consideration.
Both MPs consider that Armenia could have certain problems with
Georgia by joining the Customs Union. The two neighboring countries
have a free trade agreement and a number of other agreements providing
for favorable conditions for the development of economic ties. They
believe, however, that all problems will be solved after some changes
are implemented.
"I'm sure there should be no problems between Armenia and Georgia.
We'll solve them thanks to our friendship. Irrespective of the fact
which unions our countries join, we'll remain friends and will do our
best to maintain good economic relations," Levan Berdenishvili said.
Director of the Center for EU Studies Kakha Gogolashvili says the free
trade between Armenia and Georgia may continue if the Customs Union
allows Armenia to maintain free trade regime with certain countries.
"Whatever, all this will have no impact on the process of shipment
of Armenian cargoes through Georgia," he said.
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/09/05/armenia-georgia-and-the-customs-union/
18:54 05.09.2013
Armenia, Customs Union, Georgia
Gita Elibekyan
"Radiolur"
Armenia could have problems with Georgia after joining the Russia-led
Customs Union, taking into consideration the free trade agreement
between the two countries, some Georgian politicians say. At the same
time, they consider that Armenia and Georgia are able to find a rapid
solution to all merging problems.
As for the perspectives of Georgia's membership in the Customs Union,
experts say its hardly possible and consider that yesterday's statement
of PM Bidzina Ivanishvili was a gesture to Russia.
One day after Armenia said it will join Russia's Eurasian Union,
Georgia's PM said it might, in due course, do the same. The remark
puzzle d the Georgian politicians and analysts. The issue of joining
the Customs Union had never been considered in Georgia before.
However, some politicians, mostly from the opposition, consider that
the PM's statement puts the issue on the agenda.
Representative of President Mikhail Saakashvili's United National
Movement Party David Darchiashvili says there could be two explanations
to Ivanishvili's statement. "First, it may be the result of lack of
experience. Second, there could be a force behind these words trying
to change the political course of the country."
Members of the Prime Minister's Georgian Dream bloc view the statement
as a step targeted at improving the relations with Russia. One of the
leaders of the Republican Party Levan Berdenishvili noted that "PM
Ivanishvili says we can discuss all unions, but that does not mean
we're going to join them." "Besides, the Prime Minister is leaving
politics," he added.
"As member of the Georgian Parliament, I declare that Georgia does
not have the intention to join the Customs Union or the Eurasian Union.
Georgia opts for the EU and NATO," he told Public Radio of Armenia. He
added that the situation with Armenia is unique, and this should be
taken into consideration.
Both MPs consider that Armenia could have certain problems with
Georgia by joining the Customs Union. The two neighboring countries
have a free trade agreement and a number of other agreements providing
for favorable conditions for the development of economic ties. They
believe, however, that all problems will be solved after some changes
are implemented.
"I'm sure there should be no problems between Armenia and Georgia.
We'll solve them thanks to our friendship. Irrespective of the fact
which unions our countries join, we'll remain friends and will do our
best to maintain good economic relations," Levan Berdenishvili said.
Director of the Center for EU Studies Kakha Gogolashvili says the free
trade between Armenia and Georgia may continue if the Customs Union
allows Armenia to maintain free trade regime with certain countries.
"Whatever, all this will have no impact on the process of shipment
of Armenian cargoes through Georgia," he said.
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/09/05/armenia-georgia-and-the-customs-union/