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BAD NEWS FOR ARMENIAN MIGRANT WORKERS
Naira Hayrumyan, Political Commentator
Comments - Tuesday, 24 June 2014, 10:28
Armenia's membership to the Eurasian Economic Union will hardly
address migration issues, Gagik Yeganyan, the head of the State
Migration Service has announced. He said integration with the Union
implies free movement of goods and labor. However, we and Russia have
different perceptions of free market, Yeganyan thinks, suggesting that
Moscow will impose limitations within the Union one way or another.
This means that one of the key arguments of supporters of Eurasian
integration in Armenia on facilitation of free movement of migrant
workers in Russia loses its meaning. Although it has been stated
that the agreement on free movement of migrant workers was regularly
announced to be signed before the membership of Armenia to the Customs
Union, Russia and Armenia would not reach an agreement.
What unacceptable conditions is Russia setting? It is not hard to
guess. First, Russia offers migrants simplified naturalization after
renouncing Armenian citizenship, not free movement.
Most importantly, however, if Russia grants Armenian migrants certain
privileges, they will stop being Moscow's hostage and blunt tool
used for negotiations with Armenia. And Moscow is reluctant to lose
this weapon unless there is threat that Armenia will escape from the
pro-Russian space.
Gagik Yeganyan's statement comes against the background of several
developments that reduce the chance Armenia will join the Eurasian
Union. The Georgian foreign minister Maya Panjikidzeh announced after
her meeting with Serzh Sargsyan that the Association Agreement signed
by Georgia will not affect its relations with neighbors but some
technical issues may arise.
This means that free economic relations between Armenia and Georgia
will be revised, such as the supply of Russian gas to Armenia via
Georgia. It is not accidental that the ruling party of Armenia is
considering buying gas from other countries. It may be done under
Russian guidance though which wants to bypass Georgia and buy gas
from Iran and sell in Armenia at a price that it will set.
Apparently, Russia would not agree to not boost customs duties on
goods imported to Armenia. In this connection, Serzh Sargsyan has
announced that customs duties will rise gradually, not at once. Are
the Armenians supposed to be grateful for this?
The Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov is in Armenia. Have they
found answers to questions that Armenia has or did it all end up in
a show of Russian military planes?
- See more at:
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/comments/view/32637#sthash.3ngq4oMM.dpuf
Naira Hayrumyan, Political Commentator
Comments - Tuesday, 24 June 2014, 10:28
Armenia's membership to the Eurasian Economic Union will hardly
address migration issues, Gagik Yeganyan, the head of the State
Migration Service has announced. He said integration with the Union
implies free movement of goods and labor. However, we and Russia have
different perceptions of free market, Yeganyan thinks, suggesting that
Moscow will impose limitations within the Union one way or another.
This means that one of the key arguments of supporters of Eurasian
integration in Armenia on facilitation of free movement of migrant
workers in Russia loses its meaning. Although it has been stated
that the agreement on free movement of migrant workers was regularly
announced to be signed before the membership of Armenia to the Customs
Union, Russia and Armenia would not reach an agreement.
What unacceptable conditions is Russia setting? It is not hard to
guess. First, Russia offers migrants simplified naturalization after
renouncing Armenian citizenship, not free movement.
Most importantly, however, if Russia grants Armenian migrants certain
privileges, they will stop being Moscow's hostage and blunt tool
used for negotiations with Armenia. And Moscow is reluctant to lose
this weapon unless there is threat that Armenia will escape from the
pro-Russian space.
Gagik Yeganyan's statement comes against the background of several
developments that reduce the chance Armenia will join the Eurasian
Union. The Georgian foreign minister Maya Panjikidzeh announced after
her meeting with Serzh Sargsyan that the Association Agreement signed
by Georgia will not affect its relations with neighbors but some
technical issues may arise.
This means that free economic relations between Armenia and Georgia
will be revised, such as the supply of Russian gas to Armenia via
Georgia. It is not accidental that the ruling party of Armenia is
considering buying gas from other countries. It may be done under
Russian guidance though which wants to bypass Georgia and buy gas
from Iran and sell in Armenia at a price that it will set.
Apparently, Russia would not agree to not boost customs duties on
goods imported to Armenia. In this connection, Serzh Sargsyan has
announced that customs duties will rise gradually, not at once. Are
the Armenians supposed to be grateful for this?
The Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov is in Armenia. Have they
found answers to questions that Armenia has or did it all end up in
a show of Russian military planes?
- See more at:
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/comments/view/32637#sthash.3ngq4oMM.dpuf