“Lukashenko’s statement had a few highlights and contained a few messages in it. We should not be surprised at this statement, because there had been many such ups and downs, such developments, and complaints,” so interpreted the Chairman of ANC’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Vladimir Karapetyan, in the interview with Aravot.am, on April 29, referring to the statement of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. On April 29, the President of Belarus had proposed at the Minsk-hosted Supreme Eurasian Economic Council to postpone the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union (EurAsEC), and announce that the approaches in the course of negotiations raise numerous questions with him. Lukashenko reminded that very short time is left until the alleged signing of the Treaty on establishment of EurAsEC, and noted that, “The approaches put forward during the talks arouse many questions. Some suggest implementing certain agreements in 10 years, that is by 2025, which sounds odd, to put it mildly. If we are not ready to do it now, we should openly admit.” According to Vladimir Karapetyan, “Of course, it is strange that they are talking about disagreements publicly, but such statements that Lukashenko does is not surprising. I think it fits into the rules of the game, especially given the fact that there is an agreement to sign the agreement by end of May. However, it seems to me that the talks will still continue, and meetings will be held before a final decision is achieved.” Mr. Karapetyan finds that “it is more than strange that, for instances, Armenia’s progress and Armenia’s performance, the events provided for by the road map that we implement is reported at the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council not by the representative of Armenia, but Russia’s representative.” In response to our observation that, in other words, they are not peer-to-peer with Armenia, Vladimir Karapetyan said, “These authorities are conducting such a policy that do not fully protect Armenia’s interests, and truly no peer-to-peer talks are being held. One of its evidences was the presentation of Armenia’s problems by the Russian official.”
Hripsime JEBEJYAN
