Four years ago, on September 3rd, overnight, Serzh Sargsyan decided not to sign the Association agreement with the EU and instead of it became a member of the newly established Customs Union, which later became EEU.
“The Republic of Armenia became more vulnerable both in political, social, and security spheres, because our country was limited in making independent decisions,” says human rights activist Arthur Sakunts.
The economic showings aren’t hopeful, too. Official statistical data can also prove it. For example, according to the first 5 months of 2017, within the frames of the EEU the mutual turnover between the member-states made up 20,5 billion dollars. Armenia’s portion here is only 0,9 %- the least among the EEU member states.
The RA-EEU turnover makes up 620 million dollars. 97,6 % of that number or more than 605 million dollars is the trade with Russia. It means that there was little trade with other countries. Specialist can see escalation also in the spheres of human rights defense and security.
“The number of the people, illegally taken to the police stations, has drastically increased since 2013. The first political prisoners were in 2013- Shant Harutyunyan and friends. On the other hand, the vulnerability of the security; before 2013 20 percent of death cases were a result of ceasefire violations, and after 2013 up to 55 percent.”
Our citizens also cannot see any positive changes after the membership to the EEU.
“Nothing changed, everything is the same, when they go to Russia, are they free or are the goods transferred freely?”
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