JOINING CIS FREE TRADE ZONE DOESN’T COUNTER WTO AGREEMENTS

Tert.am
18:56 26.10.11

Armenia’s prime minister has said that the agreement on free trade
zone with CIS member states does not run counter with Armenia’s
agreements with the World Trade Organization.

Speaking at the parliament on Wednesday, Tigran Sargsyan said that
other WTO members are also in favor of that agreement.

Sargsyan also said that unlike other bilateral agreements, this one
is of historical significance, has more modern terminology and rules
and is aimed at creating a joint platform for trade.

It is also an attempt to create exclusive opportunities so that
business enterprises will be able to trade with paying the customs
duty, he added.

“The agreement is one step forward unlike other bilateral documents,
and if Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan join it, it will
expand,” said Sargsyan.

Armenia, together with other seven CIS countries signed the document
on free trade agreement last week during a CIS summit.

Further, Tigran Sargsyan said that Armenia’s joining to this document
would not be an obstacle for its European integration as Armenia’s
European partners were informed about it beforehand and none voiced
opposition.

The agreement, according to Sargsyan, will not hinder negotiations
with the European Union over the comprehensive trade agreement either.

Tigran Sargsyan also said that Armenia does not intend to joint the
costumes union that includes Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

“We do not share [ground] border with them, therefore that issue is
not in our agenda,” explained Tigran Sargsyan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress