Armenia’s EEU-membership not putting independence in jeopardy – president

YEREVAN, September 22. /ARKA/. Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) is not jeopardizing the country’s independence, Armenia’s president Serzh Sargysan said at a state reception on the Day of Independence on Sunday.

Speculations that accession to the EEU will mean a loss of political independence to Armenia are groundless, the president said.

“There are no integration processes in the world not implying coordination of steps”, the Armenian president said.

On the other hand, the value of independence is indisputable, and Armenia will continue its open-minded cooperation with all partners, the EEU, the EU, the USA, China, neighboring Georgia and Iran and other friendly states, Sargsyan said.

Armenia will remain an active and responsible member of the global family, he said.

Armenia made its decision to join the EEU for the new economic development opportunities and, why not, for regional security reasons, the president said.

The membership gives an access to a big market, but a substantial economic benefit will depend on the skills, Sargsyan said.

According to earlier reports, the agreement about Armenia’s accession to the EEU was expected to be signed in Minsk on October 10. The final version of the agreement was sent to the governments of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation on September 3. The final decision about the signing will be made by presidents of the four countries.

 

Armenia observed the 23rd anniversary of its independence on Sunday September 21. Some 99% of Armenia’s population voted for withdrawal from the USSR and creation of an independent state in a referendum held on that day back in 1991. –0--