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PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 - 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 - 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website: www.acnis.am
25 February, 2014
ACNIS Hosts Conference on International Integration Processes
Yerevan--The Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS) today held a roundtable discussion on "The Eastern Partnership
and Customs Union: International Integration Projects or Geopolitical
Competition?" The meeting brought together representatives from the
diplomatic community in Yerevan, leading policy analysts, political
figures, and members of the press.
Raffi K. Hovannisian, ACNIS founder and president, welcomed the
audience with keynote remarks, and wished the participants fruitful
deliberation. "With today's strategic offering, ACNIS enters its 20th
year of public service and commitment to the cause of objective,
multi-disciplinary research, analysis, and national discourse for the
betterment of Armenia and the deepening of its democracy, rule of law,
and sovereignty," he said.
Welcoming the guests with an opening speech, ACNIS director Manvel
Sargsian underscored the need for public debates on the matter at
hand. "Armenia's choice between signing the EU Association Agreement
and entering the Customs Union evoked concerns all over the world, and
particularly in those countries, whose interests are closely linked
with the afore-mentioned projects. Armenia is one of those
countries,--hence comprehensive, multi-disciplining assessments of the
processes taking place are of vital significance for us."
The day's first speaker was governance expert Harutyun Mesrobyan, who
described Armenia's decision to access the Customs Union as a serious
challenge to the state's sovereignty and security. "By accessing any
union, we will become uncompetitive. It is simply amazing why
Armenia--neighboring Iran with its vast resources--does not make any
use of it and is knocking at doors of the North and the West. The
impression is that we do need a state but we are looking for any
available protector," Mesrobyan underscored.
In his intervention, leading economist Dr. Tatoul Manasserian assessed
the advantages and disadvantages of the Customs Union. According to
him, Armenia's membership in the Customs Union may bring more economic
harm than good if the procedure of customs clearance is not clarified.
"I appreciate the very positive cooperation, but along political
decisions, we need to be able to make correct economic calculations so
that the budget could avoid any gaps caused by not cleared customs."
On the other hand, Manasserian stressed that at current stage it is of
vital importance to solve the Abkhazian railroad issue with assistance
of the strategic partner "which will create more favorable conditions
for businesses to develop trade and economic relations with the
outside world."
In his turn, Yerevan Press Club president Boris Navasardyan--in light
of Armenia's "official" decision to enter the Customs
Union--contemplated the prospects of the nation's facing restrictions
upon its democratic freedoms. "By choosing the Eurasian direction, we
are entering a system where the other three members do not meet the
minimum threshold of democracy--freedom of assembly and freedom of
access to Internet--that Armenia has already reached. Therefore, the
model prevailing therein will have a negative impact on our value
system. If Armenia signs the agreement on accessing the Customs Union,
it will become monopolistically dominated by one country. Armenia has
never experienced such isolation over the course of its modern
history," Navasardyan mentioned.
The presentations were followed by a series of questions and answers,
and featured a lively exchange with the audience. The roundtable
participants also included writer and blogger Marine Petrosyan,
political analysts Mikayel Zolyan, Nikita Zarobyan, and Edgar
Vardanian, civic activist Zarouhi Hovhannisyan, expert Khachik
Harutyunyan of Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center in
Armenia, head Arthur Avtandilyan of Free Democrats Party Policy
Analysis Center, and others.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is
a leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan,
Armenia. As an independent, objective institution committed to
conducting professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to
raise the level of public debate and seeks to broaden public
engagement in the public policy process, as well as fostering greater
and more inclusive public knowledge. Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the
institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia's first
Minister of Foreign Affairs. Over the past 20 years, ACNIS has
acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source of professional
independent research and analysis covering a wide range of national
and international policy issues.
For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or
27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected];
or visit www.acnis.am
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 - 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 - 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website: www.acnis.am
25 February, 2014
ACNIS Hosts Conference on International Integration Processes
Yerevan--The Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS) today held a roundtable discussion on "The Eastern Partnership
and Customs Union: International Integration Projects or Geopolitical
Competition?" The meeting brought together representatives from the
diplomatic community in Yerevan, leading policy analysts, political
figures, and members of the press.
Raffi K. Hovannisian, ACNIS founder and president, welcomed the
audience with keynote remarks, and wished the participants fruitful
deliberation. "With today's strategic offering, ACNIS enters its 20th
year of public service and commitment to the cause of objective,
multi-disciplinary research, analysis, and national discourse for the
betterment of Armenia and the deepening of its democracy, rule of law,
and sovereignty," he said.
Welcoming the guests with an opening speech, ACNIS director Manvel
Sargsian underscored the need for public debates on the matter at
hand. "Armenia's choice between signing the EU Association Agreement
and entering the Customs Union evoked concerns all over the world, and
particularly in those countries, whose interests are closely linked
with the afore-mentioned projects. Armenia is one of those
countries,--hence comprehensive, multi-disciplining assessments of the
processes taking place are of vital significance for us."
The day's first speaker was governance expert Harutyun Mesrobyan, who
described Armenia's decision to access the Customs Union as a serious
challenge to the state's sovereignty and security. "By accessing any
union, we will become uncompetitive. It is simply amazing why
Armenia--neighboring Iran with its vast resources--does not make any
use of it and is knocking at doors of the North and the West. The
impression is that we do need a state but we are looking for any
available protector," Mesrobyan underscored.
In his intervention, leading economist Dr. Tatoul Manasserian assessed
the advantages and disadvantages of the Customs Union. According to
him, Armenia's membership in the Customs Union may bring more economic
harm than good if the procedure of customs clearance is not clarified.
"I appreciate the very positive cooperation, but along political
decisions, we need to be able to make correct economic calculations so
that the budget could avoid any gaps caused by not cleared customs."
On the other hand, Manasserian stressed that at current stage it is of
vital importance to solve the Abkhazian railroad issue with assistance
of the strategic partner "which will create more favorable conditions
for businesses to develop trade and economic relations with the
outside world."
In his turn, Yerevan Press Club president Boris Navasardyan--in light
of Armenia's "official" decision to enter the Customs
Union--contemplated the prospects of the nation's facing restrictions
upon its democratic freedoms. "By choosing the Eurasian direction, we
are entering a system where the other three members do not meet the
minimum threshold of democracy--freedom of assembly and freedom of
access to Internet--that Armenia has already reached. Therefore, the
model prevailing therein will have a negative impact on our value
system. If Armenia signs the agreement on accessing the Customs Union,
it will become monopolistically dominated by one country. Armenia has
never experienced such isolation over the course of its modern
history," Navasardyan mentioned.
The presentations were followed by a series of questions and answers,
and featured a lively exchange with the audience. The roundtable
participants also included writer and blogger Marine Petrosyan,
political analysts Mikayel Zolyan, Nikita Zarobyan, and Edgar
Vardanian, civic activist Zarouhi Hovhannisyan, expert Khachik
Harutyunyan of Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center in
Armenia, head Arthur Avtandilyan of Free Democrats Party Policy
Analysis Center, and others.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is
a leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan,
Armenia. As an independent, objective institution committed to
conducting professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to
raise the level of public debate and seeks to broaden public
engagement in the public policy process, as well as fostering greater
and more inclusive public knowledge. Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the
institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia's first
Minister of Foreign Affairs. Over the past 20 years, ACNIS has
acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source of professional
independent research and analysis covering a wide range of national
and international policy issues.
For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or
27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected];
or visit www.acnis.am