“We will do our best to have our opinions considered during the signing of the final agreement”
Says Seyran Ohanyan about the membership to the Customs Union
“If we seriously study the contract and legal system that exists among our strategic partners and within CSTO, we will see that those are gradually developing,” during a conversation with 168-Zham mentioned the defense minister Seyran Ohanyan, when answering a question whether by joining the Customs Union Armenia won’t be receiving any additional safeties and that it is a sheer vindication on part of the government to join the Union.
“There are new guarantees because this year we have developed a military-technical plan with the Russian Federation, which enables not only maintain by develop cooperation. The interests are mutual and each country has its goals and plans.” To the question if Armenia refused to join the Union would it be deprived of security guarantees the defense minister said, “why shouldn’t we agree to join if it clearly gives us benefits and those will conduce to develop our economy.” Seyran Ohanyan said that the government is currently working in the documents regarding the Customs union. “We will make sure our opinions are taken into account during the final signing of the agreement,” assured the minister.
As of the opinions that he is one of the key supporters of the Customs Union, Ohanyan said, “Being one of the key supporters doesn’t mean that the defense ministry was on top of the negotiation process. But having taken into account the fact that we don’t have any other place to go from this geographic territory and also having take into account our security options and the alliance with the CSTO I think it was a wise decision to join the Union. Perhaps it would be better if the information level of the people increased and they were better explained what the Union is.” When speaking of former soldier Volodia Avetisyan’s case he mentioned that the imprisonment of the person doesn’t have to do anything with his political views. “I think what has happened is connected with his personal activity.
Even if there was no political affiliation and we realized that he was connected with that matter nothing would be changed,” he said and added that his opinion about Volodia Avetisyan hasn’t changed. “I have always had friendly relations with Volodia Avetisyan. During the recent period I have at least twice met him and during these meetings I tried to advise him how he can work. And first of all I said that he should report to the ministry. I have also mentioned what the opportunities of our country are and before informing the president our agreement has been violated. But it doesn’t matter. Our attitude to our military friends has always been positive. No matter what I always meet them,” me noted.
As of the incident in Tavoush on October 22 Ohanyan mentioned, “In general the analysis of the past years shows that the violation of the frontline regime usually takes place during major political meetings and events.” According to Ohanyan this tension overlapped with the political events in Azerbaijan. “I think the suggestions we submit to find angles of trust, such as the removal of snipers, prevention of diversion, are not well accepted by Azerbaijan’s military. And under these circumstances they once again tried to destabilize the situation and the local commandership is trying to once again remind us of their existence.”
He also added, “I think that we have one political course. Our commanders clearly evaluate the situation on the borderline and undertake necessary measures to preclude any kind of diversion. And our commanders once again reiterated that they would push back any kind of violation or assault should they repeat again. I was personally there on Sunday and had studied the situation, the roads and think that our commanders will undertake necessary steps once the situation is a little calmer.”
By Tigranuhi Martirosyan
