On November 18th, the presidents of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan signed a declaration on Eurasian economy integration – a road map of the integration process, which is aimed at establishing of the Eurasian Economic Union. The opposition politician, the leader of the Armenian party New Times, Aram Karapetyan, told VK about prospects of Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Union with common political, economic, military, customs, humanitarian and cultural space.
- Is the accession of Armenia to new integration unities efficient?
- The XXI century was a century of regional unities. There are a lot of examples: the Pan-American Union, established by the US and South America countries, the European Union, China, which initiates integration processes in the region. I think in this context we should define out foreign political priorities and directions. I think the most efficient direction for Armenia is the pro-Russian vector. Moreover, real mechanisms of integration processes in the former Soviet space are operating, for example, the Customs Union. I think the idea of the Eurasian Union proposed by Russian Premier Vladimir Putin has all chances to be implemented, and our country should join the structure.
- Is the absence of common borders with future members of the Eurasian Union an obstacle on the way to integration of Armenia in this organization?
- Such a point of view is unreasonable. We have no common borders with European countries either, but our authorities always state that European integration is one of priorities in the foreign policy of Armenia. Furthermore, at the moment, negotiations on signing the Alliance agreement with the EU and the treaty on free trade. And nobody appeals to absence of common borders. I think the foreign policy of Armenia is a mess. In this context our authorities promise to join various international organizations and do not refuse from any proposals. As a result, Armenia is pressed by an opposite center of force, if it tries to cooperate with its rival. Today the top management of the country has to do its choice, as playing with world force centers cannot be infinite. And I’m afraid the choice won’t be favorable for the Eurasian Union, and our authorities can find plenty of reasons for it. Accession to the Eurasian Economic Union presupposes accession to the Customs Union. And the authorities of Armenia and their allies, tycoons, don’t want it, as membership in the organization will lead to double control of import and export of products. It will damage corruption system of the country.
- However, Armenia signed the free trade zone agreement within the CIS in St. Petersburg, and this agreement is a base for the future Eurasian Economic Union…
- Despite this fact our current government doesn’t strive for the Eurasian Union. The agreement was signed only because our authorities needed credits from the EurAzEC fund. Accession to the Eurasian Union is a suicide for Armenian tycoons, who closely cooperate with the authorities, as economic and budget rates should be supported at a certain level, and ruble will be the emissive center. Accession to the union means for Armenia total change of the management system. Thus, even if the authorities declare their intention to join the union, it will be pretence. I think hesitation of our political parties is a result of unclear policy by the state in general. Moreover, the parliamentary elections are coming, and each party relies on this or that foreign force, Russia or West. The dependence causes hesitation as well.
- Do you agree with the view that the idea of the Eurasian Union is an alternative to the EU program Eastern Partnership?
- Unfortunately, there are some facts that cannot be ignored. Armenia has never been self-sufficient state from political point of view. Today Armenia has no political and economic resources for development without integration to any regional unity. But integration presupposes refuse from another integration project. During 20 years of independence we always join various unions: we strive for the EU, NATO, then, we changed our mind and joined to CSTO and so on. What is the result? Economy is still weak, and half of citizens have left the country. I think European countries don’t want to invest in Armenian economy. We have no historical close ties with them similar to ties with Russia.
Interview by David Stepanyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to VK
