Eurasian Archives

Armenia President, Eurasian Intergovernmental Council members discuss Yerevan meeting

October 25, 2017 By administrator

YEREVAN. – President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on Wednesday received the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council members—the prime ministers of Armenia, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, and Kazakhstan—who will participate in the Council meeting to be held on the same day in capital city Yerevan. Tigran Sargsyan, Chairman of the Board of Eurasian Economic Commission, the executive body of the Eurasian Economic Union, also attended this talk.

First Sargsyan expressed confidence that the said meeting will be productive and will serve the interests of promoting Eurasian integration, press office of the President informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. Also, he underscored the activities of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council, and thanked for the active and productive work.

Stressing that he is familiar with the agenda of this meeting, the President especially noted the matter of elimination of technical barriers. But he expressed the hope that this and the other matters on the meeting agenda will be resolved.

The Eurasian Intergovernmental Council members, for their part, said they will thoroughly discuss all the matters on the agenda, find joint solutions, move forward, and keep the pace.

Armenia Hosted Eurasian Economic Union Meeting to Discuss Cooperation

May 24, 2016 By administrator

Eurasian Intergovernmental Council Meets to Discuss Furtherance of Cooperation between EAEU Member States (Photo: Press Office of the Government of Armenia)

YEREVAN (News.am)—A regular meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council was held on May 20 in Yerevan to discuss economic cooperation between the coalition’s member states.

The Prime Minster of Armenia, Hovik Abrahamyan, welcomed those presented and noted the positive dynamics in the establishment of a common market of goods and services at the current stage of the Eurasian Economic Union’s (EAEU) development.

Abrahamyan also spoke about expansion of cooperation in international and other formats, as well as the closer trade and economic cooperation of EAEU with separate states, enabling to raise the EAEU development level.

In this context, Abrahamyan considered cooperation with China as one of the key issues on the meeting agenda. According to him, the establishment of legal framework of cooperation between EAEU and China will enable to not only increase the volume of trade, but also involve investments for large infrastructure projects and diversify logistical opportunities. The Prime Minster stressed the importance of the work aimed at establishing China’s Silk Road Economic Belt.

“Having a historical experience, and being the only EAEU country to have land border with Iran, Armenia is ready to implement that project,” Abrahamyan said.

The meeting also spoke about the formation of common markets in the EAEU, whose activity will enable to eliminate the obstacles on the way to the movement of goods, as well as increase the speed and volume of economic cooperation between the states.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev highlighted that regular meetings are imperative in the integration processes and solving the issues set before them. He considered it necessary to reinforce the legal framework of the Union, fully ensure the free movement of goods, services, capital and persons, eliminate the obstacles and limitations, as well as form common markets in key areas of economy.

Medvedev also attached importance to the speedy adoption of the EAEU Customs Code in order to ensure clear, foreseeable and favorable legal framework for the business community. He noted that it is necessary to develop trade and economic ties with the key partners, including China, Vietnam, Southeastern Asia and other states.

Kazakhstan’s Prime Minster Karim Massimov attached importance to the trade between EAEU and states such as India, Egypt, Iran, etc.

In his speech, Belarus Prime Minister, Andrei Kobyakov, considered formation of common markets of oil and oil products a priority, attaching importance to the adoption of the Eurasian Union Customs Code.

The session also addressed this issue, and suggested implementation of the provisions of the report on coordinated transportation policy, draft decisions of the Eurasian Economic Commission, etc.

During the meeting, Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister Sooronbai Zheenbekov stressed that targeted and consistent work with the EAEU countries is a key direction.

As a result of the session, the aforementioned documents, which strengthen the economic cooperation between the member states, were approved and signed. The document on the negotiations on signing a trade and economic agreement between EAEU member states and China was also signed.

The next session of the Eurasian Economic Commission will be held on August 12 in Sochi.

Eurasian Economic Commission’s new board approved

December 28, 2015 By administrator

The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council has approved the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) new board, Armenpress reports.
According to the decision passed Monday, the board’s chairman, Tigran Sargsyan, will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of its activities and functions.
Karine Minasyan, a board member for domestic markets, informatizaton, information and communication technologies, will be in charge of:
Computerization, information and communication technology and information cooperation;
Functioning of the internal market without barriers, exceptions and limitations
Minister Tatiana Valovaya, who represents the Integration and Macroeconomics Development Board, will oversee the following areas:
Integration policies;
Macroeconomic policies.
More details are available on the state news agency’s website.

Armenian Parliament Ratifies Eurasian Economic Union Treaty

December 4, 2014 By administrator

By RFE/RL’s Armenian Service

December 04, 2014

YEREVAN — The Armenian parliament has overwhelmingly passed a treaty to join the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union.

The vote on December 4 was 103 in favor, seven votes against, and one abstention.

The parliament started debating the treaty on December 1.

Dozens of opposition activists and their supporters have rallied in front of the parliament building for a fourth straight day urging lawmakers to reject the treaty.

Protesters say the treaty’s ratification would affect Armenia’s sovereignty and independence.

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian signed an agreement to join the group in October at a ceremony in Minsk.

Armenia is set to join Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan in the economic grouping when it comes into force on January 1.

Govt. approves Armenia’s Eurasian Economic Union accession draft doc

October 3, 2014 By administrator

The government of Armenia on Thursday, Oct 2 approved a draft document on joining the the Eurasian Economic Union Treaty, ITAR-TASS reported.

“Upon joining the Treaty, Armenia becomes a member of the Eurasian Economic Union,” the document says.

From this moment, the acts of the Eurasian Economic Union will be applied on the territory of Armenia, according to the document.

The document’s addenda highlight 29 agreements, which Armenia will join, terms of the republic’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and transitional provisions.

A separate addendum contains a list of goods and services subject to customs duties during the transitional period that differ from the levies effective in the customs union of the Eurasian economic bloc.

After governmental confirmation, the draft will be submitted for parliamentary approval. Russia’s upper house of parliament unanimously ratified on Wednesday, Oct 1 the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union. The Treaty on the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union was signed by the presidents of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan on May 29, 2014 in Astana. The agreement is the basic document defining the accords between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan for creating the Eurasian Economic Union for the free movement of goods, services, capital and workforce and conducting coordinated, agreed or common policies in key sectors of the economy, such as energy, industry, agriculture and transport. The Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union is to enter force on January 1, 2015.

Turkey-Eurasian Union Partnership ‘Will Hurt Armenia’

July 22, 2014 By administrator

If Turkey’s initiative to create a free trade zone with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan becomes a reality, it will prove to be an unfavorable factor for Armenia as Turkey will become a real actor in that market, with certain anti-Armenian manifestations, expert in Turkic studies Ara Papyan told Tert.am.

“Turkey has had this intention for a long time. When Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev spoke of Turkey’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union, he was actually speaking of Turkey’s joining it somehow rather than of its membership. So if this scenario is made a reality, Turkey, as well as other Turkic-speaking countries, will greatly benefit from it. But it will have negative consequences for us,” Papyan said.

Such developments are undesirable for Armenia because they will create bias toward the interests of Russia and Turkey.

“The two countries’ bilateral trade turnover is around $20bn, but they are going to bring it up to $100bn. This is an anti-Armenian figure, with all the ensuing consequences,” he said.

Regrettably, Armenia cannot do anything in this situation, Papyan says.

“The only thing for us to do is to place our hopes on Russia, its realizing its own geopolitical interests. But, it should be noted, experience shows it does not work,” Papyan said.

According to him, Russia is ready to renounce its geopolitical interests for economic interests because, given its heavy situation, it is seeking to resolve short-term problems.

Papyan doesn’t think Armenia will be an obstacle in case the sides decide to build such relations. The only power, according to him, may be the United States in case that country doesn’t really want Turkey to develop close ties with Russia.

Addressing the topic, economist Vahagn Khachatryan said it is still too early to talk about such relations given that none of the states have made any statement so far.

“Turkey, which develops large-scale relations with Russia, will naturally desire to expand them. But the problem for the Customs Union member states is Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan has always wished to expand Kazakhstan-Turkey relations, so they now wish to involve Turkey [in the bloc] to realize their economic project,” he noted.

Khachatryan added that he doesn’t pin much positive hope on the plan given that ideas of the kind have not been a success in the recent period.

“After all, it will depend on how things will develop. Free trade must always have certain limitations; Turkey is a World Trade Organization member, while Belarus and Kazakhstan are not. This may cause Turkey to face the same problem as Armenia,” Khacharyan explained.

As for Armenia’s future, the economist said he expects Armenian-Turkish relations to become an agenda topic after the country joins the Russia-led economic bloc. “It is possible to make such assumptions,” he added.

Kazakhstan FM: Armenia may join Eurasian Economic Union in October

July 2, 2014 By administrator

July 02, 2014 | 15:18

The agreement on Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union may be signed in October, Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrisov said during a Twitter conference. .

“The signing of an agreement is likely to take place in Minsk this October during a regular meeting of the Union member states,” Idrisov said, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported.

Speaking during the meeting of Russian diplomats a day earlier, President Vladimir Putin said he hopes Armenia will become a member in the near future. The Russian leader emphasized that the new alliance stirs interest of CIS partners. In particular, Armenia will become a member soon, while the talks with Kyrgyzstan are underway.

For his part, Armenian Deputy FM Shavarsh Kocharyan said the Eurasian Economic Commission had sent Armenia’s Eurasian Economic Union (EaEU) accession treaty for a domestic national accordance.

EU and Eurasian Economic Union: possible clash of interests in the region – opinions

June 29, 2014 By administrator

– an echo of the Ukrainian crisis against the background of tangled relations between the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union.

In an interview with Tert.am, Head of the European Integration NGO Karen Bekaryan said that four of the six European Partnership member-states – Georgia, Azerbaijan, Moldova and Ukraine – have certain problems involving different conflicts. Besides, other two states, Belarus and Azerbaijan, signed Association Agreements with the EU, as well as Armenia, which has not yet full-fledged relations with the EU.

Political Secretary of the Heritage party Styopa Safaryan told Tert.am about another “tangle.” According to him, “it will be better seen after Armenia joins the Eurasian Economic Union.” That is, the Armenia-Georgia border will turn into a border between the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union.

Given the fact of Armenia becoming a border with the EU economic area, as well as Russia’s position on the European Partnership policy and on the Association Agreements between the EU and Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, Mr Safaryan forecasts a number of pessimistic scenarios.

“First, we can expect Russians to use Armenia in its actions against them. Secondly, if it happens, Europe will have to block Armenia even worse by means of other states.”

However, this is not a problem of Georgia alone.

“Even if Georgia wants, the EU had warned of the impossibility customs free trade between the two economic areas because, if Armenia is allowed to, it will imply its joining the EU free economic zone,” Mr Safaryan said.

Political scientist Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan does not think the new situation in the region is the result of Association Agreements between the EU and Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Rather, it is the result of the Ukraine developments.

“By and large, the Eurasian Economic Union has waged a struggle for Ukraine, with neither Europe nor Russia being the winner. They have divided Ukraine and got such problems that huge economic resources are required to resolve them.”

“In any case, evidence thereof is Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s recent visit to Georgia, where the two countries’ leaders stated that being parts of two economic unions would not prevent the development of their trade relations. On the other hand, the Caucasus could be turned into a crossroads of interests of the EU and Eurasian Economic Union,” Mr Melik-Shahnazaryan said as he quoted Armenia’s president.

Source: tert.am

What plays Vladimir Putin? Ara Toranian

June 2, 2014 By administrator

The Russian president is it a force of nuisance or proposal for Armenia? September 3, 2013, Vladimir Putin weighed its weight to prevent the signing of the Association Agreement between Armenia and the European Union which they had worked for four years. Meanwhile, he imposed his accession to the Eurasian Union under construction with Kazakhstan and Belarus. However, on May 29, Putin signed the agreement provided in Astana with these two countries, while in Armenia saw excluded. What has happened then between?

Kazakh president, who from the beginning had reservations about entering Armenia in the Eurasian Union in the name of solidarity with Azerbaijan, has developed a series of obstacles before it. He first denied any economic development that would make it more bearable this association with more powerful it, especially energetic states. But above all, he demanded – at the express request of Baku – a customs barrier is established between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh in order to maintain the ostracism of the Armenian territory was liberated from Turkish Azerbaijani. This injunction, which however goes against the Putin asserted willingness to join Armenia in the Eurasian Union, has left the Kremlin no apparent reaction. And silence feeds all speculation.

What does this mean in fact? Putin, who poses as great sachem of the Eurasian Union and great rival of the West, is unable to impose its Kazakh partner in this case? Or, more cynically, it is simply being let go Armenia, leaving it in midstream, after weighing all his weight to get out of the sphere of European influence in the region? The information of 23 May 2014 on the sale of new Russian heavy weapons to Azerbaijan (over 100 tanks T_90) nourishes all suspicions. Especially, the last Azerbaijani diatribes against the West, and particularly against the U.S. position on Nagorno-Karabakh (denounced – wrongly – as pro-Armenian), suggest that Baku could s’ rely on Russia to resolve the issue, which is also an issue as to the nature of relations between Moscow and Ankara.

It is clear that Russia has always had the ambition to militarily regain a foothold in this highly strategic area on the border of Iran. Armenia is now broadly in his boot. This leaves him to renegotiate increase its share of influence on Azerbaijan, with the danger to Yerevan that dealings will be done at his expense. The risk of betrayal of Russia is indeed registered watermark in the history of Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, as evidenced by the granting by Stalin from that territory of Armenia to Azerbaijan. And nothing seems able to resist playing a more or less identical scenario, if it is not, perhaps, any western expansion area domination Kremlin reserves – although his protests generally remain very theoretical …

It is clear from these episodes that Putin does not derogate from despotic paradigm that has always prevailed in the tsarist policy in the Caucasus. In this scheme, the role assigned to Armenia is of a captive ally and not a strong partner. And he is certainly not in the interest of regional Kremlin to abandon the appetites of Turkism, or leave completely wither (hence its preferential tariffs for the supply of gas), it does nothing that can either make him head out of the water and bring to pass his “support”. If necessary, it seems that the Russian big brother is even willing to weaken even further Yerevan to increase its length.

Seen, Armenia is still stuck between the hammer and the anvil. But the Turkish-Azerbaijani side is clearly not the only power to take advantage of this situation. What plays Vladimir Putin? And expected by Europe to establish the status of particular partnership advocated by François Hollande May 12 in Yerevan, which allow Armenia to break his isolation, loosen the grip without preventing him to sign, where appropriate, with the Eurasian Union? The question is, more than ever.

Ara Toranian

Nazarbayev offers Armenia to join Eurasian Economic Union without Karabakh

May 29, 2014 By administrator

May 29, 2014 | 16:08

President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev pointed at a political “incident” with Armenia’s accession to Customs Union, Izvestiya newspaper reported.

“There is an unpleasant topic. Not to instigate a person in Azerbaijan [Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev – Izvestiya], you joined the WTO this way, and you need to join the Eurasian Union within the borders recognized by the UN, with the reservation [without Nagorno-Karabakh and several other areas of the former Azerbaijan SSR – Izvestiya],” Nzarbayev said.

The treaty on establishment of Eurasian Economic Union was signed by the leaders of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan in Astana on Thursday. President Serzh Sargsyan participated in the meeting of Supreme Eurasian Economic Council and offered to sign a treaty on Armenia’s accession till June 15, 2014.