Pursuant to Hovhannes Igityan, neither Serzh Sargsyan’s, nor Artur Baghdasaryan’s and even Zori Balayan’s letter would save Armenia
“A few weeks has been passed since the announcement of the road map, there has been only one session. And, even today, without going into details, it is clear that the problems are much more and insurmountable than they were thinking in the beginning. Even government officials, who are called upon to carry out these tasks, are raising them more stringent than the opposition forces. In other words, it is clearly said that in Armenia’s economic market, there are a certain number of products, most of which are of vital necessity and have a great role in the process of price. This is a problem related not only to social, but also with regard to the economy,” said Hovhannes Igityan, member of the RPA Board, in the conversation with Aravot, referring to Armenia’s practical steps in joining the CU. Recall that recently the respective Commission convened a session, which was followed by the statements about the possible increase in prices, including by government officials.
“Armenia’s economic model and Russia’s economic model are quite different from each other, and it is impossible to combine our consumer model and RF’s manufacturer’s protection model in three months. Moreover, the changes are made unilaterally. We just need to copy and paste. I guess Russia wants Armenia to be declared a member of the CU and that’s it,” opines our interlocutor, recalling that Armenia was not doing everything in Armenia-EU relations, not all liabilities were respected. “The EU was clearly understanding everything and realized that both Armenia’s economic upgrading and development of democratic systems are much more necessary to Armenia than to the EU, because this issue is much more necessary to Russia and to Armenia. Russia will be more decisive and consistent in dismantling our economy. After all, we now have a poor but stable condition. Now, a new process is starting, which is more uncertain, and which deepens after every speech of the government member and Serzh Sargsyan. This is the problem.”
Recalling in what conditions the decision of Armenia’s accession to CU was made, which was followed by Russia’s pressure, and that all Russia’s resources: political, economic, AND blackmail, were aimed at overthrowing the Vilnius summit, choosing Ukraine as a target, which was already to sign the EU Association Agreement, and, in this context, referring to the statements of RA officials that a new stage begins in Armenia-EU relations, Hovhannes Igityan notes, “In our relations with the EU, we will not go forward, but backward. They will be about EU-Belarus relations, which is even worse than the EU-Azerbaijan relations, which is not a member of CU.”
Read also
In fact, Hovhannes Igityan recently has expressed the following opinion about Ukrainian tragic developments, “Let no one think that there is an opposition-power struggle or a pro-Western, pro-Russian struggle. Actually, there is a general dissatisfaction with the government. Many problems come from Yanukovich in person. He provoked this whole situation. It is very important that the international community is closely watching, calling to punish those guilty, however, there is impunity in Ukraine, especially those in power, and this resulted that they continue killing by all means.” In his opinion, the Ukrainian Constitution will amend, and there seems to be an agreement between the parties, as a result, Ukraine will go back to the Constitution of 2004, when the Parliament’s authorities were wider, however, the government can not win this fight.
To the observation of Aravot whether Russia after tightening the legislation against emigrants was not to plan for exceptions for the citizens of a country that is a CU member or plans to become one, and whether Russia thus wishes to finally humiliating keep some countries beside it, and whether NSC Secretary’s request-letter about displaying other approach towards the citizens of Armenia was not at least degrading, Hovhannes Igityan noted that for receiving a bit more favorable conditions from Russia, this-or-that country should become a factor for Russia. “Only then you can get additional benefits from Russia. In this case, regardless of whether it is Serzh Sargsyan’s request, or Zori Balayan’s or Artur Baghdasaryan’s letter in sequel, it does not matter. CU is of no importance here, because CU regulation indicates that citizens should have a special status. The basis is the customs duty and free mobility of goods. The remaining issues are resolved with bilateral relations, taking the depth of friendship into account, too. The depth of adulation does not work here, the principle of loyalty does not work.”
Our interlocutor believes that there is a man in Armenia who can lead a decent talk to Russia, however, in the international practice these issues are regulated by keeping parity. “If a country is, moreover, considered friendly, it does not tighten the access and stay of friendly country citizens unilaterally. If Russia is choosing this form for our citizens, it seems to me that Armenia should also adjust its regulation for the stay of Russian citizens in our territory. And, it should not be presented as blackmail or ultimatum to Russians. It is just accepted as such.” It is, of course, not equal, in the sense that there are not so many Russian residents in Armenia, anyway, our interlocutor sees this option of resolving the matter. In fact, primarily RF residents who are in service with the Russian military base, and their families, the employees working at Russian organizations or under its jurisdiction, as well as officials willing to work long-term in Armenia within the Customs Union membership, are living in Armenia.
Interviewer, Nelly Grigoryan
