“They are trying to shape the Customs Union like the EU’s economic zone, but we know that any duplicate is several zeros cheaper from the original. Let’s compare, which one of the presidents of those countries was selected. For years, government resources are exploited to keep their power and to transfer it to their near ones, everything is permitted to own folks, foreigners are not right in any matter, they have no right. Is it accidental that the highest level of corruption is in these countries? And we are going to the territory with regressed economy and anti-democratic procedure, and are we still happy, do we consider that it is the highest, to which we are capable? Is this the future of this country? I do not see future a there.” – so explained the President of the “Republic” party Aram Sargsyan in the interview with “Aravot”, as to why the President’s decision to enter into the Customs Union is unacceptable.
Mr. Sargsyan reminded that Russia’s economy is based on exploitation of mining resource and does not have industrial potential. “If we compare with Armenia, the difference is very little. What do we export to Russia? 18 % is primarily agricultural products, wine, brandy, etc. The 35% that we export to Europe, is an industrial potential, metallurgy. The sector providing the main jobs in Armenia is the industry. RF does not have a developed industry, Europe has industrial systems with the most advanced technologies. Which is preferable? The main geopolitical problem, who are in the Customs Union: Kazakhstan headed by Nazarbayev, Belarus headed by Lukashenko and Putin’s RF. They also say that the Union does not make sense, it will not have a long life, if Ukraine does not join it. Ukraine will not join, Ukrainians are more ready for Russian pressures and know what it means. It will not join, consequently, the structure will not take place. Kazakhstan has not yet signed the agreement completely and has a lot of problems.
And as to what disagreements constantly occur between Belarus and Russia, it has already become out the political arena and has become a series of anecdotes. Are we attracted by such prospect?”
Mr. Sargsyan believes that two out of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries, the U.S. and France, are extremely disappointed with the behavior of the acting authorities. “They were disappointed with Serzh Sargsyan. Of course, it is difficult to accept and admit that they made a mistake. They are trying to show that they did not make a mistake, what else they can do. Although they clearly understand that the reason are not the pressures, they made a mistake, but to keep the face it is more beneficial to blame Russia for the pressures rather than to admit own mistakes. They know very well that the forces maintaining the power by force and falsifying the results of the elections can not adopt decisions on developing the democracy, they do not have and will not have the faith and respect of their people, they may have only oligarchs as a support, therefore there can be no talk of a competitive economy. With regard to development and prospects, it is absurd to make a step with those authorities.
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It is obvious that the Europeans would not show the offense, but there will definitely be an asymmetrical response to Serzh Sargsyan’s step. A very hard situation is expected to Serzh Sargsyan, a very difficult situation is expected to me, you, and Karabakh. Here, we need to see the problem, and not the RF as a security guarantee. What security guarantee, when it is selling attacking weapons of billions to Azerbaijan. The CSTO member Kazakhstan has repeatedly stated that it supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, that we have conquered territories from Azerbaijan, and is not in favor of a compromise approach. And we believe that CSTO will provide our security? In fact, it does not only fail providing security, but is also a constant danger over our head and Karabakh.”
HRIPSIME JEBEJYAN
