The topic of “Aravot” online on the air is discussed between Deputy President of “Free Democrats” party, Anush Sedrakyan, and political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan.
Aram Abrahamyan – Can we enter into the Customs Union, but not the Eurasian Union, or vice versa?
Alexander Iskandaryan – Theoretically, the second is possible but the first one is difficult. Generally, the Eurasian Union is, I think, is the continuation of the Customs Union. The Eurasian Union, we can say is the new name of the Customs Union.
A. A. – On May 29, in Astana, President Sargsyan expressed the desire that in two weeks, we would join the Eurasian Economic Union, and Putin said that it would not be in 2 weeks, it would be on July 1. Then, the Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan said that it will be after July 4, afterwards Putin meeting with Russian diplomats said it would be inthe near future. And then, Kazakh Foreign Minister said that it will happen on October. Why the terms are delayed?
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Anush Sedrakyan – I would not say that the time delay so upsets me personally. It seems to me that more it is delayed, the better for Armenia.
A. A. – Why do you rejoice at delay of the terms?
A. S. – I rejoice because I think that in this case we are having the chance to somehow maintain the status quo and mitigate the risk that we have for our national sovereignty. Everyone knows that Russia’s policy, particularly, the EurAsEC, is created allegedly as a counterbalance, simply Putin creating this counterbalance here had overestimated his military resources and underestimated the 21st century global trend, which is the economy. It is obvious that the economic bonuses and economic leverages are not in his hands. For comparison, I would like to illustrate a simple example. Russia took the Crimea, and this Anschluss proceeded on the background of outbreak of patriotism and increasing Putin’s ratings. However, the international trade organizations that are involved in the regulation of maritime trade, at this point, have announced that the insurance process for all great freighter that take trade goods from Europe and other places to the Crimea, their insurance is canceled and is left to the discretion of the owners of this cargo. In other words, if you’re entering the Crimean port, you onwards are responsible for what will happen with your goods. Thus, the Crimea remains under the direct donorship of Russia. As for the delay of establishment of the Eurasian Union, then there is a serious concern in Belarus and Kazakhstan about accession to this Union, and that 90 percent of “recruitment” will go to Russia. Secondly, it seems to me that Russia need Armenia as an example to settle down the thorny issue of Ukraine, in other words, look, how many people are joining us.
A. I. – The Crimea has nothing to do here. Armenia is not the Crimea. In addition to eight regions in Russia, all other regions are also considered subsidy-receiving. The Crimea will certainly become a subsidy-receiving, it is not associated with the recognition of Crimea internationally. As for the delay of Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Union, I would mention 3 reasons: the first is technical. This is a particular work, there are large number of documents, which the Customs Union members were preparing them over the years, and Armenia should do it in half a year. The second is the concurrence. Thousands of clauses should be agreed upon by all parties. The third reason for the delay is that there are many controversies within the Customs Union, which are serious. To think that everyone is waiting for Armenia with open arms and there would be no controversies with us is stupid. Armenia is one of the reasons for these very controversies. This is a process that requires time.
Prepared by ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
“Face to Face” talk show series are released by the Open Society Foundations- Armenia. The views and analyzes found in this broadcast express the opinions of the participants, and are not approved by the Open Society Foundations-Armenia, or its Board. This broadcast is made available thanks to comprehensive financial support by the Open Society Foundations-Armenia, under the mass media support program, grant No 18624.
