Russia does not like either that Armenia is flattering with Europe
Hrant Bagratyan, MP and former Prime-Minister, shared his thoughts with journalists about Armenian president Serh Sargsyan’s decision to join Customs Union. Hrant Bagratyan reminded that before the presidential election 2013 he was the only candidate that announced about the need to make a decision whether to join Customs Union or sign association agreement with Europe through a referendum. He still believes that such important decision has to be made by public vote. “Serzh Sargsyan committed to a policy of closer integration with Europe. Raffi Hovhannisyan announced that Armenia had to recognize the independence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh and integrate with Europe. Putin called the president and told him that it could not happen that way as they have armed forces here. My opinion is that we should not go to Europe, should not join customs Union either as development prospects are limited there,” says Hrant Bagratyan. He shared with a story about his conversation with ruling RPA member Artak Zakaryan, when he asked him whether it was a game because a country that has such great military present of a third country cannot change its geopolitical policy this way. “He said Russians would get angry a little bit but it would pass,” said Bagratyan about his conversation with RPA member Artak Zakaryan. I told him that interests of third countries would put Armenia under great risk if they played games.
The former PM also commented on the incumbent PM’s controversial statement saying that Armenia cannot join Customs Union because there are no borders with the Union states. “It is nonsense because border doesn’t matter; products may come here by transit routes,” said H. Bagratyan. “I don’t consider it is good for us to join either of the two organizations. We should have told Europeans that there is a Russian military base here and it would make Russians angry. If we did not start negotiation with Europe, we would not have to join Customs Union. We will not have better relations with Europe for the coming fifty years. Fule said the most controversial issue is trust, which we don’t have… We were brought to Russians, too, and now they have an impression that Armenia may cheat at any time.
“Neither Europe nor Russia like the way we did,” said Bagratyan.
“A movement will start among the parties here and they will start analyzing the by-laws of Edinaya Rossia party… Being in the same organization with countries such as Russia and Kazakhstan that have energy resources and Belarus that is a large importer, and operating with the same tariffs that were signed in 2009 means simply closing all doors for our economy. We will be in a space where tariffs will be increased by four times, thus we have to ask them to give us 3-7 year time to adapt. This should the first requirement. When the Customs Union was created the economy of Belarus went down and the economy of Kazakhstan went up. I am calling this an effect of energetic resource owners. Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus should neutralize the negative effect of energetic resources. We have to also understand whether there will be a common currency in the union, whether all countries will have to use ruble, remember my words,” said Bagratyan.
On the other hand Bagratyan says the union may also have positive effects: “Even though the union will bring negative effects, there are positive changes to be expected as well. For example, wine and cognac production may flourish. We have to use the opportunities provided by that union to boost production and get orders for our construction companies.”
Concerning customs fees for vehicles imported from non-CU countries Bagratyan said that cars imported from Germany, Japan, as well as construction materials imported from Turkey will become more expensive.
“My car is very old. I am pondering whether I should invest 20-30,000 dollars to buy a new car. But if this goes on, I will have to seriously consider buying a Russian Niva,” said Bagratyan jokingly.
By Aram Sargsyan
