Shirak Torosyan, a member of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, member of the RPA faction, believes that Turkey’s statements on joining the EAEU are propagandistic, and have some purpose to sting the EU partners.
Earlier, Turkish Economy Minister Naghayt Zeybekchi recently announced that Turkey plans to sign a membership agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union. Soon the negotiations will start. It should be noted that the “Expo-2017” world exhibition will be held in Astana on August 24-26. During the “Eurasian Week” forum, the participants will also discuss issues related to the foreign trade relations of the EAEU member states.
The Turkish minister noted that the trade turnover between Turkey and Russia increased by 30 percent last year. He also stated that there is successful cooperation in petrochemical industry, agriculture, and other spheres, and that Turkey is seeking a new quality partnership with Russia. The Turkish minister also said that Turkey’s cooperation with the EAEU also implies investments.
Shirak Torosyan, a member of the National Assembly Foreign Relations Committee, a member of the RPA faction, in an interview with Aravot.am before evaluating Turkey’s possible membership to EAEU or referring to its consequences, reminds that the issues in the EAEU are resolved by consensus: all the member countries must vote “for” in order to have a new member of the union. In addition, Armenian MP says that among countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, Turkey has a common border only with Armenia, whose border is closed: “Turkey has blockaded Armenia, Eurasian Economic Union member state since 1993”.
It should be reminded, however, that Armenia, which is an EAEU member state, has no border with any of the EAEU member states. Turkey has a maritime border with Russia in the Black Sea.
Shirak Torosyan also stresses Turkey’s biased position on Artsakh issue, which is fundamental to Armenia, and notes, “Many impossibilities arise in connection with Turkey’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union. So, it’s more of a PR-targeted statement from Turkey than reality. By doing so, Turkey probably wants to exert pressure on its western allies, considering the profound contradictions in recent times that have arisen between Turkey and its western partner countries”.
In response to the remark of Aravot.am, that maybe the Armenian side will consider the probability of the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border in the context of Turkey’s accession to the EAEU, or solving the remaining problems between the two countries, Shirak Torosyan said, “I do not think that the matter will reach Turkey’s membership to the EAEU. But if this issue begins to be seriously discussed, then naturally, interesting discussions, suggestions, analyses and perhaps agreements will also arise. But for now, I think, this is simply Turkey’s PR action”.
Let’s remind, official Yerevan also responded to the statement of the Turkish minister. Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan said on this occasion that the possibility of joining the EAEU customs territory is not envisaged by the EAEU contract. “Moreover, it is ridiculous when Turkey talks about joining the EAEU customs territory, which has unilaterally closed the border, the only land border between Turkey and the Eurasian Economic customs territory”.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
