Armenian PM explains inexpediency of joining Customs Union

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said there is no sense for Armenia to join the Customs Union among Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan due to economic reasons.

“There is no sense in joining the Customs Union, since Armenia lacks a common border with it. There is not an example in the international experience, when customs unions are created without common borders, since the economic benefits, which could be obtained by countries when their goods cross border without customs inspection, disappear,” Sargsyan said at the forum panel entitled “Eyeing Russia.”

He added that Armenia will not gain benefits, if it establishes contacts with the Customs Union through third countries. Besides, according to Sargsyan, Armenia would have needed to revise all customs fees to bring them in compliance with those set in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

“Meanwhile, it supposes certain changes in the economic system, what is difficult to assess,” the governmental press service quoted Sargsyan as saying.