YEREVAN—The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Council of Armenia on Wednesday issued an announcement regarding Armenia’s decision to join the Russian-led Eurasian Customs Union.
Below is the English translation of the announcement:
The announcement in Moscow, of Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union was as much a landmark as it was a decision dictating great responsibility for the future of Armenia. It is possible to assume that at some point, considering the geopolitical state and developments, Armenia would join the Customs Union initiated by its strategic ally and would be included in the process of the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union.
But the fact of the matter is that until the announcement in Moscow, the authorities of the Republic of Armenia had not conveyed the necessary information both to the public and to the political forces. Furthermore, Armenia’s membership in a Customs Union with which Armenia does not share borders was regarded as impossible by the authorities. For years the authorities negotiated with the European Union about joining the Free Trade Zone and were on the brink of finalizing the EU Association Agreement.
We can assume that the main reasons for the unexpected decision by the President of the Republic of Armenia in Moscow were security concerns related to Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. This is an additional responsibility that at this stage will affect the national and state foundations.
The President’s decision has raised numerous questions within the public.
For us, any given economic integration must provide guarantees for the preservation and strengthening of the security of the Republics of Armenia and Mountainous Karabakh and for the integration and development of their economies. The issue of the Customs Union must be also conditioned by these basic principles.
The joining in the Customs Union must not block the continuation and expansion of Armenia’s efforts toward the European vector, in particular the process of our country’s socio-political integration with the European Union. In addition, the decision made in Moscow cannot take out of the agenda the necessity of realizing systemic reforms in the country and of creating with joint forces a national, democratic, fair state.
We demand from Armenia’s authorities to inform the public and include the political parties in the decision making process before taking similar, fateful decisions about our country. Now that the process of joining the Customs Union shall begin, it is necessary to respect this modus operandi.
ARF-D Supreme Council of Armenia
We do not share any direct borders with the EU . Why should it be an issue with the Eurasian customs union. In the distant future there is a greater chance of sharing a common border with Russia than we would ever have with the EU. Unless of course one starts to perceive the mortal enemy Turkey as future member of the EU ( seemingly unlikely in present conditions; besides Turkey has her own agenda of the Panturanian dream) and hence sharing a common border with Turkey/EU.
this is really strange move by our government, it doesn’t make sense, if they didn’t want to deviate from old path at the first place so why they have been busy in deep negotiations with EU for custom regulations upsetting the big Bear?, and why the sudden turn?, they could have dragged this longer to see better prospects from either side, I guess EU process seemed too slow and demanding for Armenian side, but they didn’t have to go venture into it to find out later, now we have got nothing out of this monkeying around with EU , only thing we achieved was higher gas prices to break our people’s back, negetive anti-Armenian climax in Moscow and less modern millitary hardware to balance off against Baku in discounted or almost-free prices
“why they have been busy in deep negotiations with EU for custom regulations …?” It’s called upping the ante! They had to do it in order to get a better price from the other side…
Now that the process of joining the Customs Union shall begin, it is necessary to respect this modus operandi. LOL You have got to be joking. When have the Armenian authorities ever cared about or considered what the people of Armenia want, think or need.
It’s quite simple actually:
US protects a minority Jewish state in a sea of Arab muslims. Russia protects a minority Christian state in a sea of Turkic muslims.
President Sarkissian hasn’t learned that in a Democracy people should be informed.
Serge is Putin’s lapdog…