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ARMENIAN MPS UNDECIDED ABOUT EEU DEAL AS RATIFICATION VOTE NEARS
12:16 * 22.10.14
The Treaty on Armenia's accession to the Eurasian Economic Union
(EEU) is to be submitted to the National Assembly for ratification
within 1.5 months after its signing (under the Law on International
Treaties). Though he parliamentary factions have repeatedly
stated their opinions on the deal since President Serzh Sargsyan's
landmarkstatement (made in September last year), Tert.am has tried
to once again clarify positions from different political forces ahead
of the voting.
Prosperous Armenia
This political faction's secretary, Naira Zohrabyan, says they cannot
have a position on a document they haven't ever seen. "When it comes
to the National Assembly for a debate and we see to what extent that
document reflects our concerns, the faction will express its position.
I don't think any faction or political force can express an objective
opinion on a document it hasn't seen."
Zohrabyan referred to the concerns over the problematic issue of a
customs checkpoint between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh and the risks
stemming from the increased customs duties on over 800 categories of
goods. She said they are hopeful to hear exhaustive answers at the
parliamentary debates.
Zohrabyan added that the 36-member faction has not yet reached
consensus, adding that they are planning a new discussion ahead of
the voting to develop common approaches.
Asked what their party's leader thinks about the deal, the Prosperous
Armenia secretary simply replied, "Mr [Gagik] Tsarukyan will express
his position."
Armenian National Congress (ANC)
The faction's leader, Levon Zurabyan, refrained from expressing any
opinion when contacted by our correspondent for comments. Former
Military Prosecutor Gagik Jhangiryan, who also represents this
political force at the National Assembly, said they will decide on
their position after the document is on the parliament's agenda.
At the opposition's rally earlier this month, first President and
current ANC leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan described the EEU accession
process as an irreversible development.
Armenian Revolutionary Federation - Dashnaksutyun (ARF-D)
This faction's leader, Armen Rustamyan, gave a somewhat welcoming
remark when asked about the deal. "Dashnaksutyun always has its
decisions, which are not of conceptual importance; they aren't easily
changed or reconsidered unlike those of [other individuals] and some
political forces."
As for the concerns over a possible customs checkpoint with
Nagorno-Karabakh, Rustamyan said he thinks that the party would really
feel embarrassed if that scenario were realistic. "That document will
be brought [to parliament]. And you will see it says nothing of the
kind," he told our correspondent.
Heritage
The faction's secretary, Tevan Poghosyan, said he expect their
lawmakers to reach a consensus before the voting.
"I have several times heard [Heritage faction leader Ruben] Hakobyan
say that Armenia should not be a member in any union, considering
the conflict situations," he said.
The remark suggests that the other Heritage members support an
association deal with the EU, with the faction's leader being against
both the Eurasian and European integration processes.
Alexander Arzumanyan, a former foreign minister who is formally
affiliated with this faction, says he has no other choice but to
vote against.
Speaking to Tert.am, the politician said he doesn't expect members
of the ruling Republican faction to vote against the deal in a
surprise move. "I can only guess that Heritage will vote against;
as for the othera, judging by the rally, both the ANC and Prosperous
Armenia are proponents. But it still remains to be seen," he told
our correspondent.
Rule of Law
Heghine Bisharyan, who heads this political faction, said she thinks
they first need to see the treaty before saying anything for or
against.
"As you see, the press is flooded with different negative opinions
forecasting market surges. The major difficulty is, of course, the
fact that we do not share borders with the EEU member states and
have no idea as to our possible advantages. I am optimistic about it
even though the negative is highlighted more. So let us simply try
to listen to the opinions," she added.
Republican
Koryun Nahapetyan, who represents the ruling political faction in
parliament, says he expects their lawmakers to develop their common
positions after talks with a government representative.
"The document hasn't been submitted yet; once it is, the corresponding
committee and the Republican faction will organize debates," he
told Tert.am.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/10/22/ESu-armenia/
From: Baghdasarian
12:16 * 22.10.14
The Treaty on Armenia's accession to the Eurasian Economic Union
(EEU) is to be submitted to the National Assembly for ratification
within 1.5 months after its signing (under the Law on International
Treaties). Though he parliamentary factions have repeatedly
stated their opinions on the deal since President Serzh Sargsyan's
landmarkstatement (made in September last year), Tert.am has tried
to once again clarify positions from different political forces ahead
of the voting.
Prosperous Armenia
This political faction's secretary, Naira Zohrabyan, says they cannot
have a position on a document they haven't ever seen. "When it comes
to the National Assembly for a debate and we see to what extent that
document reflects our concerns, the faction will express its position.
I don't think any faction or political force can express an objective
opinion on a document it hasn't seen."
Zohrabyan referred to the concerns over the problematic issue of a
customs checkpoint between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh and the risks
stemming from the increased customs duties on over 800 categories of
goods. She said they are hopeful to hear exhaustive answers at the
parliamentary debates.
Zohrabyan added that the 36-member faction has not yet reached
consensus, adding that they are planning a new discussion ahead of
the voting to develop common approaches.
Asked what their party's leader thinks about the deal, the Prosperous
Armenia secretary simply replied, "Mr [Gagik] Tsarukyan will express
his position."
Armenian National Congress (ANC)
The faction's leader, Levon Zurabyan, refrained from expressing any
opinion when contacted by our correspondent for comments. Former
Military Prosecutor Gagik Jhangiryan, who also represents this
political force at the National Assembly, said they will decide on
their position after the document is on the parliament's agenda.
At the opposition's rally earlier this month, first President and
current ANC leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan described the EEU accession
process as an irreversible development.
Armenian Revolutionary Federation - Dashnaksutyun (ARF-D)
This faction's leader, Armen Rustamyan, gave a somewhat welcoming
remark when asked about the deal. "Dashnaksutyun always has its
decisions, which are not of conceptual importance; they aren't easily
changed or reconsidered unlike those of [other individuals] and some
political forces."
As for the concerns over a possible customs checkpoint with
Nagorno-Karabakh, Rustamyan said he thinks that the party would really
feel embarrassed if that scenario were realistic. "That document will
be brought [to parliament]. And you will see it says nothing of the
kind," he told our correspondent.
Heritage
The faction's secretary, Tevan Poghosyan, said he expect their
lawmakers to reach a consensus before the voting.
"I have several times heard [Heritage faction leader Ruben] Hakobyan
say that Armenia should not be a member in any union, considering
the conflict situations," he said.
The remark suggests that the other Heritage members support an
association deal with the EU, with the faction's leader being against
both the Eurasian and European integration processes.
Alexander Arzumanyan, a former foreign minister who is formally
affiliated with this faction, says he has no other choice but to
vote against.
Speaking to Tert.am, the politician said he doesn't expect members
of the ruling Republican faction to vote against the deal in a
surprise move. "I can only guess that Heritage will vote against;
as for the othera, judging by the rally, both the ANC and Prosperous
Armenia are proponents. But it still remains to be seen," he told
our correspondent.
Rule of Law
Heghine Bisharyan, who heads this political faction, said she thinks
they first need to see the treaty before saying anything for or
against.
"As you see, the press is flooded with different negative opinions
forecasting market surges. The major difficulty is, of course, the
fact that we do not share borders with the EEU member states and
have no idea as to our possible advantages. I am optimistic about it
even though the negative is highlighted more. So let us simply try
to listen to the opinions," she added.
Republican
Koryun Nahapetyan, who represents the ruling political faction in
parliament, says he expects their lawmakers to develop their common
positions after talks with a government representative.
"The document hasn't been submitted yet; once it is, the corresponding
committee and the Republican faction will organize debates," he
told Tert.am.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/10/22/ESu-armenia/
From: Baghdasarian