Ukrainian events will not have direct influence on the countries of CU member states
Interview with the head of economics and world politics department of the Higher School of Economics of Russia Aleksei Portansky
-What consequences can the Ukrainian events have in Russia and its relations with other countries?
-Prior to the Ukrainian crisis Russia provided serious aid to Ukraine and still continues doing so. The promised 15 billion USD is a very serious support. It may also affect the Russian state budget too.
-What about in the case of the states of the CU?
-Perhaps there will be no direct economic impact in those counties. The Belarusians might know better but there might be certain gaps in trade relations of Ukraine and Belarus. We should hope that the situation gets better there and that there would be no need to worry about the CU member states and the impact of the crisis on their economies.
-Only Russia from among the CU states is a full member of the WTO. Armenia is also a member and is planning to become a member of the CU. What do you think we can expect from these negotiations?
-I didn’t understand what negotiations you were speaking about. No new talks are anticipated with Armenia in the framework of the CU. Kazakhstan negotiates with the WTO, which should end this year. Belarus still has a lot to go to decide o become a CU member. Perhaps this is what you are talking about.
-Armenian statesmen mention as Armenia and Russia have various agreements with the WTO and there will be different rules in the CU, new negotiations will be launched with the WTO.
-The issues they have to resolve with the WTO are to adjust the new customs fees of the CU with the ones defined with the WTO.
-Does this mean there won’t be a joint discussion with the CU and WTO?
-No, it won’t be. Only Russian councilors might participate in those meetings but officially the negotiations will be with WTO-Kazakhstan and WTO-Armenia.
-Both Russian and Armenian statesmen state that Armenia is steadily moving towards the CU. In your opinion what is the situation like in reality?
-I think that if no obstacles come up Armenia will become a member of the CU this year. I don’t have the opportunity to observe the whole process but as far as I know everything goes smoothly. So far no decision has been made about the opening of Abkhasian railways. In your opinion when will this problem be resolved?
-I want engaged in that matter but of course that’s an important one. I don’t know when the matter will be solved but at any rate Moscow is not discussing this matter at this stage.
By Gayane Khachatryan
