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ARMENIAN RULING PARTY MP: IT'S BETTER TO REMAIN UNDER RUSSIA'S YOKE
Politics | 05.12.14 | 11:00
It is better for Armenia to remain under the yoke of Russia, a
"majoritarian" member of the ruling Republican Party's parliamentary
faction said on Thursday, explaining his "yes" vote for the
ratification of a treaty under which Armenia will become a member of
the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) beginning next year.
"We cannot survive without the Russian people and you know it well,
simply you're asking this question," said Mher Sedrakyan, speaking
to reporters in a parliament corridor.
"Our people has always lived under foreign yokes, we are used to
having someone standing above us - Persians, Turks, Russians... Isn't
it better to be under the power of the Russians?" said the lawmaker,
adding that "if we are not with them, we will be devoured."
The 131-seat National Assembly of Armenia on Thursday voted 103 to 7,
with one abstention, to ratify the treaty under which the country will
form a trade bloc with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan from January 1.
The vote took place against the backdrop of a protest organized by
scores of activists outside the parliament building. The protesters
demanded that the lawmakers refuse to ratify the treaty that they
claimed would strip Armenia of its sovereignty.
Representatives of the ruling party believe Armenia's EEU membership
does not affect the nation's political sovereignty, but, on the
contrary, is good for its economy and security. Major opposition
groups, which also voted in favor of the treaty in parliament, also
see no alternative to Armenia's alliance with Russia.
Before the parliamentary debate and ratification the treaty
passed through the Constitutional Court, which also upheld its
constitutionality.
http://armenianow.com/news/politics/59083/armenia_russia_parliament_ratification_eurasian_un ion_treaty_mher_sedrakyan
Politics | 05.12.14 | 11:00
It is better for Armenia to remain under the yoke of Russia, a
"majoritarian" member of the ruling Republican Party's parliamentary
faction said on Thursday, explaining his "yes" vote for the
ratification of a treaty under which Armenia will become a member of
the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) beginning next year.
"We cannot survive without the Russian people and you know it well,
simply you're asking this question," said Mher Sedrakyan, speaking
to reporters in a parliament corridor.
"Our people has always lived under foreign yokes, we are used to
having someone standing above us - Persians, Turks, Russians... Isn't
it better to be under the power of the Russians?" said the lawmaker,
adding that "if we are not with them, we will be devoured."
The 131-seat National Assembly of Armenia on Thursday voted 103 to 7,
with one abstention, to ratify the treaty under which the country will
form a trade bloc with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan from January 1.
The vote took place against the backdrop of a protest organized by
scores of activists outside the parliament building. The protesters
demanded that the lawmakers refuse to ratify the treaty that they
claimed would strip Armenia of its sovereignty.
Representatives of the ruling party believe Armenia's EEU membership
does not affect the nation's political sovereignty, but, on the
contrary, is good for its economy and security. Major opposition
groups, which also voted in favor of the treaty in parliament, also
see no alternative to Armenia's alliance with Russia.
Before the parliamentary debate and ratification the treaty
passed through the Constitutional Court, which also upheld its
constitutionality.
http://armenianow.com/news/politics/59083/armenia_russia_parliament_ratification_eurasian_un ion_treaty_mher_sedrakyan