There are reciprocal advantages for Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union. This is what Trade Minister of the Eurasian Economic Commission (ECC: CU regulating body) Andrey Slepnyov announced in an interview with Deutsche Welle. According to him, if we talk about the CU’s interest, we mustn’t forget that Armenia used to be one of the most technologically developed republics in the former USSR. “Armenia had and still has the relevant industry. Of course, there have been losses, but the basis has been preserved,” Slepnyov said. According to him, CU countries are interested in seeing Armenia develop and become prosperous and bring stability to an intricate region like the South Caucasus.

As for the perspective of new members’ accession to the CU, the Minister of Trade announced that the leaders of countries determine the perspectives and there are no specific timeframes yet. Every country wishing to join the Union must go through a procedure. The legislation must be analyzed and there have to be efforts for harmonization.

“I hope it will be possible to do all this in a shorter timeframe as is the case with accession to the EU. The advantage in this case is that we have a lot of things in common with the candidate countries,” the minister said.

Touching upon the complications with the Customs Union and relations with the EU, Slepnyov mentioned that the major problem is that the logic of economics contrasts politics. “The logic of economics helps us recall that we have to enhance the partnership. The EU is the first partner for the CU, and Armenia is the third partner for the EU after China and the United States. Business is also linked to all this, including the business in Europe. But due to the lack of political will from the EU, the dialogue is not progressing and doesn’t ensure the solution to pretentious issues,” Slepnyov said.

The initial signing of the Associated Agreement between the EU and Armenia was expected to be held in Vilnius, but after the September 3 meeting with President of Russia Vladimir Putin, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan announced Armenia’s plan to join the Customs Union and take part in the formation of the Eurasian Union later. Circles of European structures and experts criticized Armenia’s decision and declared that Armenia practically stopped negotiations with Europe, making the initial signing of the Associated Agreement with the EU impossible at the summit of leaders of the EU and the Eastern Partnership in Vilnius in November. Afterwards, the European Commission issued a statement according to which the Associated Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) may be compatible with the economic cooperation with CIS member countries. Meanwhile, the Armenian authorities declare that Armenia’s decision to join the CU won’t have an impact on Armenia’s European integration and the initial signing of the Associated Agreement in Vilnius.

In his speech during the fall sitting of the PACE on October 2, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan announced that Armenia will be participating in the Vilnius Summit and is ready to sign the EU Associated Agreement. In his turn, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule’s press secretary Peter Stano announced that there is no document being drawn up for the signing between Armenia and the EU. “We’re trying to find routes for further partnership with Armenia, based on the achievements that have been made,” Stano said.

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