VICE SPEAKER OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT: IT IS NOT FIT FOR EUROPEAN DEMOCRACIES TO SET UP A DILEMMA FOR A COUNTRY ON ITS WAY OF DEMOCRATIZATION

ARMINFO
Tuesday, March 19, 14:54

It is not fit European democracies to set up a dilemma for a country
on its way of democratization, Eduard Sharmazanov, Vice Speaker of
the Armenian Parliament told ArmInfo when commenting on the statement
by Elmar Brok, Deputy Head of EPP, on incompatibility of combining
cooperation with Russian Customs Union and EU as part of DCFTA.

Sharmazanov recalled that official Yerevan in its relations with
EU and Eurasian Union is basing on the principle “both: and”. So
the “either: or” dilemma is inadmissible to Armenia. Sharmazanov
highlighted that Armenia is successfully fulfilling its commitments
to the EU simultaneously developing cooperation with its strategic
partner Russia.

“I don’t think that artificial divides proceed from the philosophy
of democracy. The steps of the Armenian authorities are not ends
in themselves. They proceed from the interests of the country and
the people. Integration into CIS and EU must be studied from this
viewpoint,” the vice speaker said.

To recall, Deputy Head of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign
Affairs Elmar Brok declared that EU cannot sign a DCFTA with a country
that is a member of Russia’s Customs Union. It is impossible legally.

Armenia and other Eastern Partnership member-countries must chose
between the two structures, he said. Asked what if Armenia decides
to join the Customs Union initiated by Russia, Elmar Brok said that
EU’s relations with it will be the same as with Russia.

It is noteworthy that commenting on Armenia’s possible joining the
Customs Union Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said that it is
little possible for lack of common border of Armenia and the Customs
Union member-states. In response, in Moscow they voiced offers of
association membership of Armenia in that structure.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress