Turkey seeks to join Eurasian Customs Union: Economy MinisterAugust 24, 2016 - 13:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci said Turkey wants to join the Eurasian Customs Union, Daily Sabah reports. “Before the downing of the Russian aircraft on November 24 last year, Turkey was negotiating a free-trade agreement (FTA) with Russia,” Zeybekci said. “During Putin's last visit to Turkey, we signed a framework agreement with the Russian Minister of Economy. Now we have restarted the FTA negotiations with Russia. We want to conclude these negotiations as swiftly as possible. The FTA will first cover the service sector and investments. Later we want to include industrial production, especially agricultural products.” “Russia leads the Eurasian Customs Union, which includes countries such as Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Azerbaijan [Azerbaijan is not a member of the Eurasian Customs Union – editor’s note]. Of course, we want to join the Eurasian Customs Union without sacrificing our EU full-membership aims and violating the Customs Union,” the Minister added. The Eurasian Customs Union (EACU) is a customs union which consists of all the Member states of the Eurasian Economic Union – Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |