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ARMENIA OWES PEACE TO RUSSIA -EX-AMBASSADOR
14:47 12.09.13
Membership in the Eurasian Customs Union will offer Armenia a very
flexible way which is in the country's interests, a former Russian
ambassador has said, commenting on President Serzh Sargsyan's statement
expressing the country's willingness to join the organization.
"It is thanks to Russia that Armenia has been in peace for 20 years
now," Vyacheslav Kovalenko said Thursday during a televised debate
between Yerevan and Moscow.
According to him, an integration into the organization goes far beyond
an economic partnership, offering member states also an opportunity
to develop cultural ties.
Director of the Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan, who was a
guest from Yerevan at the debate, said for his part that it wouldn't
be right to abandon the multisectoral ties which Russia has developed
with Armenia over the course of time.
"In the meantime, things aren't so easy with the Customs Union as they
seem. The decisions adopted in Russia are political, but to develop
them into cooperation it is necessary to have agreements on the tariff
amount, product transportation etc. The problem here is that we do
not have a common border with the CU member states, whereas Armenia
cannot just decide on an agreement for no special reason," he noted.
As for the Association Agreement, which Armenia has been negotiating
with Europe for about four years, the expert said the country's
efforts cannot be lost under any circumstances.
Alexander Markarov, the director for the CIS Institute's Yerevan
branch, said in turn that it is important for Armenia to realize what
benefits it would gain from the Customs Union.
"The decision evokes both positive and negative emotions, as well as
many questions. We have to know the road map and all the restrictions
Armenia will face. From the economic viewpoint, we see mostly Russian
investors in Armenia, of course, but it is necessary to realize what
will change in terms of the imports and exports," he said.
Ambassador Kovelenko, who is a regional programs' director at the
Caspian Cooperation Organization, said in response that Armenia is more
pessimistic rather than optimistic about joining the Customs Union.
"I see only positive elements there. As for the road map, no one is
going to give it to us as a present. The EU does not have a road map
either, but there is a political will and a decision. So who prevents
us from creating that?" he asked.
Armenian News - Tert.am
14:47 12.09.13
Membership in the Eurasian Customs Union will offer Armenia a very
flexible way which is in the country's interests, a former Russian
ambassador has said, commenting on President Serzh Sargsyan's statement
expressing the country's willingness to join the organization.
"It is thanks to Russia that Armenia has been in peace for 20 years
now," Vyacheslav Kovalenko said Thursday during a televised debate
between Yerevan and Moscow.
According to him, an integration into the organization goes far beyond
an economic partnership, offering member states also an opportunity
to develop cultural ties.
Director of the Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan, who was a
guest from Yerevan at the debate, said for his part that it wouldn't
be right to abandon the multisectoral ties which Russia has developed
with Armenia over the course of time.
"In the meantime, things aren't so easy with the Customs Union as they
seem. The decisions adopted in Russia are political, but to develop
them into cooperation it is necessary to have agreements on the tariff
amount, product transportation etc. The problem here is that we do
not have a common border with the CU member states, whereas Armenia
cannot just decide on an agreement for no special reason," he noted.
As for the Association Agreement, which Armenia has been negotiating
with Europe for about four years, the expert said the country's
efforts cannot be lost under any circumstances.
Alexander Markarov, the director for the CIS Institute's Yerevan
branch, said in turn that it is important for Armenia to realize what
benefits it would gain from the Customs Union.
"The decision evokes both positive and negative emotions, as well as
many questions. We have to know the road map and all the restrictions
Armenia will face. From the economic viewpoint, we see mostly Russian
investors in Armenia, of course, but it is necessary to realize what
will change in terms of the imports and exports," he said.
Ambassador Kovelenko, who is a regional programs' director at the
Caspian Cooperation Organization, said in response that Armenia is more
pessimistic rather than optimistic about joining the Customs Union.
"I see only positive elements there. As for the road map, no one is
going to give it to us as a present. The EU does not have a road map
either, but there is a political will and a decision. So who prevents
us from creating that?" he asked.
Armenian News - Tert.am