Vice-Speaker: political forces can express their opinions on Armenia’s decision to join Customs Union during discussion before ratification in Parliament

YEREVAN, September 6. /ARKA/. Armenian political parties will have a chance to express their stance on Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union when the agreement is put on the National Assembly’s floor for ratification, Eduard Sharmazanov, a member of the executive board of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia and Vice-Speaker of the National Assembly, is quoted by Novosti-Armenia as saying.  

He said that any international agreement and any decision need ratification by the Parliament, and those political activists who say that the country’s leadership had made the decision without taking into consideration public opinion should know that the National Assembly is the institution representing people.  

“Like any international agreement, this one must be ratified in the parliament as well, and then all the members of the Parliament and representatives of different political forces will voice their views,” Sharmazanov said.  

Asked who has empowered the President Sargsyan to speak on behalf of people in such an important deal, the lawmaker said: “Our President, like any other president elected via a direct voting, enjoys a vote of confidence and is elected to speak on behalf of people.” 

He also said stressed that although Armenia has decided to join the Customs Union, the country’s authorities will maintain their relations with the European Union. 

“Russia is our key ally, but it doesn’t mean that we went back on our intention to sign the EU Association Agreement,” the MP said. 

Armenian and Russian presidents, Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin, made a joint statement after they met in Moscow on Tuesday. The statement has unveiled Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union and its intention to take part in formation of Eurasian Economic Union in the future. ---0---