DOES THE EURASIAN QUARTET BECOME A TRIO?

March 13 2015

The ruling party MP is surprised, the opposition is happy, the head
of extra-parliamentary political force us concerned “In general,
yes, there could be such a gathering, but in this case, it should
be especially emphasized that Armenia does not participate for
such-and-such reason, because everyone perceives it as the meeting
of the Eurasian Economic Union member states”, said the Head of the
Armenia’s Democratic Party Aram Sargsyan in the conversation with
“Aravot”, referring to yesterday’s and today’s meeting-discussions
in Astana between Vladimir Putin, Nursultan Nazarbayev and Alexander
Lukashenko. The official website of the Kremlin details on the meeting,
“The parties intend to discuss the prospects for the development of
trade between the three countries and the Eurasian integration process,
given the effect of the modern trends to the world economy.” In
addition, the leaders of the three countries plan to discuss
bilateral trade-related issues and the situation in Ukraine. Today,
Putin-Nazarbayev bipartite meeting is planned. The upcoming meeting
of the presidents of Kazakhstan, Belarus and Russia has nothing to
do with Armenia, yesterday explained Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh
Kocharyan explaining why the Armenian delegation’s attendance at this
meeting is not envisaged. Later, it also revealed that Armenia was not
even invited. “If we were invited, we would discuss the possibility of
participation,” continued Shavarsh Kocharyan. Head of the Democratic
Party Aram Sargsyan who is in favor of Armenia’s accession to the EaEU
believes that definitely the President of Armenia’s participation in
such meetings shall take place regardless of the agenda. “Whatever
issues were discussed between the Trio, they should definitely refer to
Armenia. If not, it turns out that there is a sector or sectors where
Armenia’s involvement in the implemented programs is not envisaged,”
says our interlocutor, adding that Armenia’s authorities should clearly
state that such things are inappropriate. “There are no issues related
to Armenia” is not an explanation at all.” Aram Sargsyan considers
this an expression of some hierarchy. However, he recommends looking
for the reasons inside.

“Armenia itself should have a position and posture to reckon with it.

Armenia’s economic situation, the dependence on international agencies,
particularly the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund,
is increasing day by day, and the practice shows that Armenia is
subject to these structures, is of great importance. All the events
happened in Armenia are seriously examined there and an appropriate
treatment is formed. The RA government policy does not provide grounds
to say that the real changes will take place in Armenia, which will
contribute to the enhancement of the status of Armenia. While everyone
in the outer world looks at the status the partner presents. Armenia’s
status does not correspond.” Aram Sargsyan also calls attention to
the fact of who from the Armenian side and how presents Armenia
in the EaEU. “Let’s leave the president, but the staff of the
Armenian representation does not meet their needs. They do not
understand who can sit at the table and what to discuss, how they
are prepared. They should have thought when doing steps. There is a
problem of an elementary free communication. If you do not speak the
language, you cannot interact with people and form relationships and
so on. Such things that seem minor leave a very serious impact. You
should be offended only of yourself, as you do not present yourself
accordingly.” NA member of Foreign Affairs Tevan Poghosyan voted
against Armenia’s joining the EaEU Treaty at the Parliament and has
always been of the opinion that the EaEU plan will not happen and
will be a failure. He considers the meeting of the Trio hosted in
Astana in this framework. Moreover, he hopes that this will become a
good signal for official Yerevan to understand that it is necessary
to be guided by own interests and continue keep moving towards the
European integration. Note that the next European Union summit will be
held in May in Riga. Various Euro-officials already announce about the
possibilities of clarification of the Armenia-EU relations. “Should we
become a member of a club, where we are not invited to the meetings,
I don’t know on what basis, and discuss economic issues, we allegedly
had joined an economic club, in this sense, I am happy to some extent.

>From now on, Armenia can be guided by its interests and solve its
problems,” said Tevan Poghosyan. This, according to the opposition MO,
is one of the evidences of non-establishment of the Eurasian Union,
which enables Armenia to follow its long-term interests towards
the European integration. NA Republican MP Hamlet Harutyunyan cannot
comment on the issue in depth, as he is not familiar with the summit in
Astana and the obtained agreements. But he is surprised that they had
“gathered and Armenia is not there.” To the question of why Armenia
is not invited, the ruling party MP expects to hear the answer soon
from the “high officials”. Now, he is sure that Armenia’s membership
to the EaEU was correctly chosen path. The fact that the transfers
from Russia to Armenia have been significantly reduced starting from
January of this year, the ruling party MP does not view it as a defeat
by Armenia, as the government promises that our countries membership
to the EaEU will positively affect the country’s economy are not
fulfilled. “These promises will soon come true if the domestic economic
situation in Russia is stabilized,” said he suggesting approaching the
situation with understanding. “Just our luck!” said our interlocutor
half-jokingly. To the question that if the sanctions against Russia
are continued, so whether we are going to live worse, he said, “Now,
it is so. However, we must look at the situation real and explain it
with our being wrong that we have entered the Eurasian Union. There
are objective and subjective reasons. We have just entered, it will
be difficult in the beginning until these problems are settled down.”

Nelly GRIGORYAN

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