Nagorno-Karabakh illusions: Customs Union and CSTO

Some Armenian political analysts have been discussing the membership of Nagorno-Karabakh in the Customs Union. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have claims to the territory, while Armenia recognizes it as an independent state. Either way, Armenia cannot decide whether Nagorno-Karabakh should be a member of the Customs Union or not.

Membership in the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan needs the recognition of the sovereignty of Nagorno-Karabakh.

However, Col. Andrey Ruzinsky, Commander of the Gyumri Base of Russia, said that Russian soldiers will stop any Azerbaijani attempts to take Nagorno-Karabakh by force, according to the alliance of Russia and Armenia within the framework of the CSTO. On the other hand, Nagorno-Karabakh is not part of Armenian territory, so the CSTO protects it as a means of self-defense.

Armenia preferred the Customs Union to EU association. Armenian Minister for Energy Armen Movsisyan has recently said that joining the Customs Union will save Armenia money because the gas prices will drop from $270 to $189 per 1,000 cubic meters.

A Moscow-Yerevan video conference has been organized today to discuss the pros and cons of the Customs Union.

Some Armenian political analysts have been discussing the membership of Nagorno-Karabakh in the Customs Union. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have claims to the territory, while Armenia recognizes it as an independent state. Either way, Armenia cannot decide whether Nagorno-Karabakh should be a member of the Customs Union or not.Membership in the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan needs the recognition of the sovereignty of Nagorno-Karabakh.However, Col. Andrey Ruzinsky, Commander of the Gyumri Base of Russia, said that Russian soldiers will stop any Azerbaijani attempts to take Nagorno-Karabakh by force, according to the alliance of Russia and Armenia within the framework of the CSTO. On the other hand, Nagorno-Karabakh is not part of Armenian territory, so the CSTO protects it as a means of self-defense.Armenia preferred the Customs Union to EU association. Armenian Minister for Energy Armen Movsisyan has recently said that joining the Customs Union will save Armenia money because the gas prices will drop from $270 to $189 per 1,000 cubic meters.A Moscow-Yerevan video conference has been organized today to discuss the pros and cons of the Customs Union.