The theme of “Aravot” online on the air is discussed by political analyst Sergey Minasyan and civil activists Daniel Ioannisyan.
Aram Abrahamyan – Most experts argue that tomorrow Armenian would not join the EaEU. What is your opinion?
Sergey Minasyan – I think the question should be addressed not to me, but probably most likely to Belarus President Lukashenko. It seems to me that at this point, as well as, perhaps, in the last few months, it is dependent not so much from Armenia with regard to complying with this-or-that condition or Nagorno-Karabakh issue. This condition was more used by the presidents of Belarus and Kazakhstan, because it seems that Russia is more interested in receiving preferential conditions in this organized Eurasian Union. Until now, it is not clear whether Alexander Lukashenko is happy…
A. A. – And why Alexander Grigorevich and not Nursultan Abishevich?
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S. M. – Specifically, in the last two days, it seems that the Minsk approach is more important. Recently, one of the advisers to the President of Russia announced that they receive minimum 700 million preferential “exempts”, Belarus will also receive almost 1.5 billion dollars from the oil export money.
Daniel Ioannisyan – Actually, what is the question with Belarus and Kazakhstan? Actually, there was a problem. But it is clearly apparent that Armenia had gone for necessary concessions. In particular, Nazarbayev said that the borders should be identified and so on. All the requirements brought up by Nazarbayev are already met, the draft agreement, in particular, Annex 2, Article 7, for example, very reads what the common customs border of the Customs Union should be. Common Customs Code of the Customs Union gives a clear definition, Articles 2, 95, and 97. It is unequivocal that in the event of joining this document, a customs checkpoint shall be installed on the Artsakh border.
A. A. – Accordingly, there is no problem with Armenia.
D. I. – Armenia implemented the requirements of Kazakhstan on this matter. I do not want to say whether it’s good or bad, I am registering the fact.
A. A. – Then, why shouldn’t they accept us?
D. I. – Actually, I am more interested in quite a different issue with regard to affiliating or not. Who is the decision-maker in Armenia? In my understanding, such a decision can only be achieved in Armenia by a referendum. There are clear provisions in the agreement that are contrary to the Constitution of Armenia, including the first Article of the Constitution about the sovereignty.
A. A. – Evidences are illustrated of why the accession will not happen today. For instance, Nazarbayev and Lukashenko have pro-Azerbaijani stance.
S. M. – If in case of Kazakhstan, I may say perhaps something like a Turkish solidarity, I cannot say it in case of Byelorussia. I do not think that even in the case of Kazakhstan, the relations with Karabakh, Azerbaijan or Armenia are number one problem. For Kazakhstan, the relationship with Russia are much more important. The issue of Armenia’s accession is one of the leverages, which is used by Kazakhstan and Belarus in their relations with Russia. In this diplomatic, economic or political game, there is a problem of tearing off something.
Discussion in full
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.
