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Expert: Armenia's path and prospects in Eurasian Economic Union are vague
by David Stepanyan
ARMINFO
Saturday, October 18, 15:41
Armenia's path and prospects in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)
are vague. The EAEU founders themselves do not know what to anticipate
and are trying to minimize the risks for their economies in every
possible way, Hovhannes Igityan, expert at the European Business
Association, member of the Board of the Armenian National Movement
Party, told the media on Friday.
On October 10, the Agreement on Armenia's Accession to the EAEU was
signed. The Agreement is expected to come into effect after being
ratified by the Parliaments of Armenia, Russia, Belarus and
Kazakhstan. To note, the period of the waivers in the 160-page
document ranges from 4 to 8 years.
"I think more and more details of Armenia's accession to the EAEU will
be emerging given the EAEU leaders' big efforts towards protection of
their economic independence. Today Kazakhstan is signing a big trade
agreement with the European Union and becoming an EAEU member with
reservations implying observance of agreements with the EU. In this
light, Armenia, which has a number of trade and economic agreements
with Europe, raises no reservations. Meanwhile, Yerevan could have
reminded Moscow of these agreements and could have told Moscow about
the intention to observe them, which stems from Armenia's interests. I
think Russia would not have objected to this if it wants to benefit
from a union with economically developed Armenia", he said.
As regards the prospects of the re-launch of the Abkhaz railway
section, Igityan stressed that notwithstanding Armenia's accession to
the EAEU this prospect is still vague given the extremely political
nature of the problem in the EAEU. According to him, Moscow may
declare what it wishes but the fact is that the project cannot be
implemented without Georgia. Tbilisi is not going to take any steps
yet given its precisely opposite integration preferences. "The
political discrepancies between Russia and Georgia hinder the
re-launch of the Abkhaz railway section. Unfortunately, no one will do
it for the sake of Armenia. Moreover, our main problem is not the
transportation but the customs tariffs of the imported goods", he
said.
According to the survey of International Alert NGO (UK), the potential
costs of rehabilitation of the South Caucasus railways, in particular
the Sochi-Sukhumi-Tbilisi-Yerevan railway will total $277.5 mln, which
can pay for no earlier than in 100 years. The restoration of the 190km
section Psou-Inguri will cost $251 million. The Inguri-Zugdigi
section will cost $26.5 million. The section from Zugdigi to Tbilisi
and farther to Yerevan needs no repair. It is noteworthy that
Abkhazian experts estimate the rehabilitation of the railway at
$350-$400 million. Meanwhile, Georgian experts claim that the project
will cost some $73 million.
by David Stepanyan
ARMINFO
Saturday, October 18, 15:41
Armenia's path and prospects in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)
are vague. The EAEU founders themselves do not know what to anticipate
and are trying to minimize the risks for their economies in every
possible way, Hovhannes Igityan, expert at the European Business
Association, member of the Board of the Armenian National Movement
Party, told the media on Friday.
On October 10, the Agreement on Armenia's Accession to the EAEU was
signed. The Agreement is expected to come into effect after being
ratified by the Parliaments of Armenia, Russia, Belarus and
Kazakhstan. To note, the period of the waivers in the 160-page
document ranges from 4 to 8 years.
"I think more and more details of Armenia's accession to the EAEU will
be emerging given the EAEU leaders' big efforts towards protection of
their economic independence. Today Kazakhstan is signing a big trade
agreement with the European Union and becoming an EAEU member with
reservations implying observance of agreements with the EU. In this
light, Armenia, which has a number of trade and economic agreements
with Europe, raises no reservations. Meanwhile, Yerevan could have
reminded Moscow of these agreements and could have told Moscow about
the intention to observe them, which stems from Armenia's interests. I
think Russia would not have objected to this if it wants to benefit
from a union with economically developed Armenia", he said.
As regards the prospects of the re-launch of the Abkhaz railway
section, Igityan stressed that notwithstanding Armenia's accession to
the EAEU this prospect is still vague given the extremely political
nature of the problem in the EAEU. According to him, Moscow may
declare what it wishes but the fact is that the project cannot be
implemented without Georgia. Tbilisi is not going to take any steps
yet given its precisely opposite integration preferences. "The
political discrepancies between Russia and Georgia hinder the
re-launch of the Abkhaz railway section. Unfortunately, no one will do
it for the sake of Armenia. Moreover, our main problem is not the
transportation but the customs tariffs of the imported goods", he
said.
According to the survey of International Alert NGO (UK), the potential
costs of rehabilitation of the South Caucasus railways, in particular
the Sochi-Sukhumi-Tbilisi-Yerevan railway will total $277.5 mln, which
can pay for no earlier than in 100 years. The restoration of the 190km
section Psou-Inguri will cost $251 million. The Inguri-Zugdigi
section will cost $26.5 million. The section from Zugdigi to Tbilisi
and farther to Yerevan needs no repair. It is noteworthy that
Abkhazian experts estimate the rehabilitation of the railway at
$350-$400 million. Meanwhile, Georgian experts claim that the project
will cost some $73 million.