“Under the Customs Union accession, we will have big problems. In the Customs Union, first, Russia’s interests will be presented, and Russia, first, will protect its interests and its products,” such concern was expressed by Karen Chilingaryan, Coordinator of the second working group of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum.
Aravot.am asked him to detail about the particular issues that Armenia will suffer. Mr. Chilingaryan stated that Armenia is mainly an importing country, and the products imported from the territory of the Customs Union will not pass a customs clearance here, no VAT will be paid and it will not be entering into the RA budget. Later, he warned, “The customs clearance for foreign cars imported to Armenia will go up. Russia aims to develop Autoprom, and to introduce changes in our tax sector, according to which, if the customs clearance for an imported car to Armenia worth of $ 300 was $ 1500-3000, now this number will make $ 12,000.”
Boris Navasardyan compared the situation with Belarus, where foreign cars have become 2.5 times expensive, and urged, “So, if you think of having a car in the nearest future, hurry to buy it by June until the prices are still low.” Rafayel Hovhannisyan, Vice-President of “Equal Opportunity Assistance Fund”, believes that “the authorities are unable and there are no expectations from the government and the authorities.” Aravot.am was interested to know from Vazgen Safaryan, Head of the Union of Native Producers of Armenia, Chairman of the Public Board for Finance and Economic Affairs, whether the customs clearance for the foreign cars would go up when joining the Customs Union. He replied, “Of course, there is logic in it. The products imported from third countries would be taxed in a different way. During yesterday’s session of the Eurasian Union leaders, the road map of Armenia was ratified, which is a map consisting of 262 clauses of services and activities, a system of various types of authorizations. However, after joining the Customs Union, we will have favorable conditions for the import of diamond, and petroleum.” In conclusion, Mr. Safaryan noted, “However, there would be customs increase for the products imported from the third country, a fortiori, not invoice but control prices were operating, according to which, 32 % of the product price was charged at the border.”
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Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
Photo from panorama.am
