Armenia has prospects to enter neither Customs Union nor European Union, expert says
09.07.2013,
11:45
At present, Armenia has perspectives of joining neither the Customs Union nor European Union, implies Alexander Iskandaryan, director of the Caucasus Institute.
YEREVAN, July 9./ARKA/. At present, Armenia has perspectives of joining neither the Customs Union nor European Union, implies Alexander Iskandaryan, director of the Caucasus Institute.
“Armenia should see no setoff between the Customs Union and the EU Association Agreement. They are different paradigms, different formats, and Armenia has no perspectives today of joining either the EU or Customs Union,” he told reporters on Monday.
The political expert noted nobody had offered to Armenia to member the Customs Union. “The forms of cooperation which are currently being developed are just forms of cooperation with the Customs Union, but not within it,” he said.
Earlier in March, prime minister Tigran Sargsyan met with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev in Minsk within the framework of Armenia’s integration in the Customs Union. At that time he said Yerevan “has a clear position and no doubts.”
“Today, we need to solve the issues on a technical level: how fast and by what steps to move forward,” he said.
Furthermore, Iskandaryan didn’t link the increase of Russian gas tariffs in Armenia and arms supply to Azerbaijan with Armenia’s intention to sign the EU Association Agreement, as gas tariffs were expected to hike immediately after the election cycle in Armenia, and arms supply agreement between Russia and Azerbaijan was reached back in 2010.
This November Vilnius will host the EU summit which will be also attended by the members of EU East Partnership. Armenia may sign Association Agreement and Free Trade Area Agreement at that time.
Armenian regulator confirmed the new tariffs for natural gas which were to get effective since 7 July. The tariff for those consuming up to 10,000 cubic meters per month has risen to 156,000 drams ($376) from previous 132,000 drams ($318) per 1,000 cubic meters. Those consuming over 10,000 cubic meters will now pay 277 dollars instead of previous 243 dollars.
Some media sources have earlier reported Russia has sold large batch of armament and military equipment to Azerbaijan. It raised a wave of discontent in Armenia.—0-
