Alexander Iskandaryan: Armenia’s target is uniting interests rather than tearing them apart

A month ago Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin proposed the idea of establishing the Eurasian Union. In political and expert circles of the former Soviet republics this initiative caused various reactions – from relevance of establishing such union to expressing empire ambitions of Russia. The political scientist, the head of the institute Caucasus Alexander Iskandaryan answers questions by VK on prospects of Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Union.

-    What are advantages and disadvantages of Armenia’s membership in this union?

-    It is difficult to say what advantages and disadvantages of Armenia’s membership could be. The Eurasian Union has two main directions: Kazakhstan and Belarus, where the problem of transition of authority exists. At least in some Russian political and expert circles such opinion is present. In first case it is connected with Nazarbayev’s age, in the second – with problematic figure of Lukashenko in the context of the world economy crisis. Perhaps Moscow thinks that accession of Kazakhstan and Belarus to the Eurasian Union will strengthen the current united economy space between three countries. Kazakhstan and Belarus are important for Russia. On the other hand, these two countries benefit from wider outlet area.

As for Armenia, none of listed factors works here: Armenian market is small, it lays mainly in Europe, and our countries have no common boundary.

-    Is membership in the Eurasian Union real, considering the fact the core of the union is the Customs Union? Premier of Armenia Tigran Sarksyan said that Armenia has no intention to participate in the Customs Union, as there are no precedents in international practice when countries without common border participate in such alliance.

-    The Customs Union of states with no common border is impossible. Probably Armenia is aimed at searching for some way of cooperation, but the Customs Union is impossible, it is obvious.

-    However, the Armenian authorities have agreed to participate in the Union long time ago…

-    There’s nothing bad in formal participation in any integration format. It is not bad to gain preferences for your products at any markets. It is a way Armenia behaves: it takes part in all initiatives, whether it is West, Russia or Iran. Armenia is a member of the Eastern Partnership and the CSTO simultaneously.

-    Isn’t the project of the Eurasian Union an effort to establish a new empire? Some think it is another trap by Moscow.

-    I think that discussion of political integration of the former Soviet Union territory has nothing in common with reality. It is impossible, and Russia understands it as well. Maximum they can achieve economy benefits.

Strengthening of dependence and reconstruction of the empire are different things. It is normal that in the context of economy cooperation small countries depend on major ones.

The Statement by Vladimir Putin on extension of economy program is connected with election campaign.

-    Do you think the Eurasian Union project is an alternative to the EU program Eastern Partnership?

-    No, I don’t think so. The Eastern Partnership has another format, it doesn’t propose anyone to join the European Union. The Eastern Partnership is a format of the existing organization. Moreover, the Eastern Partnership includes not only economy projects, but also cooperation in humanitarian sphere and simplification of visa regimes. These two formats shouldn’t be compared.

-    Does this project compete with the Eastern Partnership?

-    Of course, competition takes place. It is difficult for Armenia to provide balanced policy today. Russia is jealous to Armenian projects with Europe and West. West treats projects connected with Russia in the same way. Russia is dissatisfied with our relations with Georgia. The USA is dissatisfied with our cooperation with Iran.

Nobody is fully satisfied with Yerevan’s policy. Balanced policy between Russia and West has been provided by all Armenian heads. Of course, the project of the Eurasian Union and the Eastern Partnership program compete with each other, but the aim is uniting interests rather than tearing them apart.

Interview by Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to VK