Armenia may never join customs union - Iskandaryan
30.10.2013,
15:19
Armenia may never join the Russia-led Customs Union because of a string of serious problems that have emerged after its declared intention, according to Aleksandr Iskandaryan, head of the Caucasus Institute in Yerevan.
YEREVAN, October 30. / ARKA /. Armenia may never join the Russia-led Customs Union because of a string of serious problems that have emerged after its declared intention, according to Aleksandr Iskandaryan, head of the Caucasus Institute in Yerevan.
Speaking at a news conference Iskandaryan said he had doubts about Armenia’s soonest accession to the customs union. “I have serious doubts whether it will happen at all. Moreover, I am not sure that the Customs Union will last for another five years," Iskandaryan said.
According to him, the customs union is a project that had been formed for a very long time; it is kilograms of documents and Armenia's joining in a short time is almost impossible.
He said each of its members has its own economic interest. “For example, Kazakhstan and Russia have to close their economies, while Belarus and Armenia have to do the contrary. This is why it is impossible to join it without huge preparatory work,” he said.
He said that the customs union’s internal problem may exacerbate soon to make its members indifferent to Armenia’s accession process.
"Of course, if there is political will, Armenia will be named a customs union member, but anyway, a full membership of Armenia is not yet possible,” he added. -0-
