The Russian Ambassador to Armenia Ivan Volinkin, speaking about Armenia’s membership to the Customs Union, expressed an opinion that “joining the Customs Union, Armenia will have to give up some of its sovereignty”.
Aravot.am asked NA RPA faction MP, Karen Avagyan, whether this statement does not contradict the assurances of RA authorities that were repeatedly voiced that the Customs Union does not endanger the independence and sovereignty of Armenia.
Mr. Avagyan replied, “I would advise you to closely follow the statements of not only the officials of other countries, but your country officials, as well. With regard to the specific wording, different officials may present various formulations. The matter is that generally there are common principles and decisions in such unions, and probably this citation was presented in the context of these decisions. And, in any kind of such unions, even in the European Union, there are common rules. For example, a common customs list, common price for customs clearance. Naturally, whatever is the wording, the matter refers to the customs processes that are expected to be implemented in the common area of given customs. Generally, it will be right to be refrained from assessments and interpretations until specific documents are available.”
We asked Karen Avagyan whether he is not concerned that after aforesaid statement of the Russian diplomat, the authorities of Armenia looked, the so-called, wrong in people’s eyes. Karen Avagyan replied, “It is impossible for such thing to happen, because, I am repeating, it is typical for all kinds of unions. Russia, as a superpower, even loses its right of sole decision-making. Any decision will generate from the policies of the Union that will refer to specific customs sector.”
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NA Rule of Law faction MP Hovhannes Margaryan expressed the following opinion regarding the same issue, “I do not think that Russian Ambassador to Armenia has put the issue of our sovereignty under question, otherwise it turns out that Russia is losing its sovereignty likewise, since all Customs Union member countries have equal rights. I do not think that the above formulation pursues this objective, for sure, it is not the case. Questions arise while translating, for instance, changing a comma, changes the meaning. Armenia has not and will not take such a step to lose its blood obtained sovereignty and independence. And, also, being well aware of the abilities of the Ambassador, I do not think that he would have made such a mistake. The authorities of Armenia are doing and will do everything to avoid putting our independence under question.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
