Armenia can combine EU, Customs Union, EurAsEC partnership: expert

PanARMENIAN.Net - A Russian political expert commented on Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union, with further plans to be involved in formation of EurAsEC.

“Armenia’s decision came as unexpected in the light of statements suggesting oncoming Armenia-EU association agreement, as well as expert opinions implying Armenia's choice in favor of the EU, in political, economic as well as national security aspects," Alexander Krylov told PanARMENIAN.Net

"Now, the 'goodbye Russia' theme has been replaced with a 'goodbye Eurointegration' one in Armenian media," the expert said, however, advising against rash conclusions.

The expert believes that Armenia will implement a complementary policy, with the latter quite admissible to Moscow, "although it’s clear that coordination of the interests of the EU and Russia, as well as the Customs Union and the EurAsEC won’t be an easy task.”

“At the upcoming Eastern Partnership summit, Armenian leadership will need to persuade our Western partners that the complementary policy won’t harm their interests.

Should Armenia succeed, the ‘goodbye Europe’ scenario can be cancelled, enabling the country to pursue partnership with the EU while involved in the Customs Union and EurAsEC,” the expert said.

Earlier, Armenia expressed intention to join Customs Union with further plans to be involved in formation of EurAsEC.

Russian President Vladimir Putin supported the initiative, voicing readiness to assist Armenia in the process.

He also noted that Russian Railways may invest 15 billion rubles in development of Armenia's railway network.

The Customs Union was formed in 2010 to include of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia; Kirghizia and Tajikistan later expressed willingness to join the Union.