Expert Blog: Armenia May Reconsider Its Decision On Entry Into CU

EXPERT BLOG: ARMENIA MAY RECONSIDER ITS DECISION ON ENTRY INTO CU

The Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s statement concerning
Armenia’s entry into the Customs Union (CU) requires explanations. If
the other members of the Customs Union, i.e. Russia and Kazakhstan,
share Lukashenko’s opinion, then it is not ruled out that Armenia
may deem it expedient to reconsider its decision on entry into the CU.

Meanwhile, signals coming from Kazakhstan seem to confirm the doubts
that those in Kazakhstan share Lukashenko’s opinion.

“As regards Armenia’s entry into the CU, Azerbaijan’s opinion should
be taken into account as Armenia has an unresolved territorial issue
with Azerbaijan,” the president of Belarus particularly said.

It should be noted that Lukashenko made two gross mistakes in one
sentence. First, the Karabakh problem is not a territorial issue, and
it is unacceptable for our partner in the Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO) to try to present the problem in that dimension.

Secondly, it is incomprehensible why – when Armenia is on the path of
joining the CU – Minsk uses a language of preconditions when speaking
to Yerevan, and it also notes the importance of the approach of
Azerbaijan, which is not especially interested in the Customs Union.

No doubt the Belarusian president understands clearly all the nuances
of the negotiating process on Nagorno Karabakh, but the impression
is that CU members, cashing in on the problem, are trying to create
artificial obstacles with the aim of blocking Armenia’s entry into
the CU. Although Kazakhstan earlier welcomed Armenia’s decision,
it is obvious that this country has reservations, in particular,
concerning Karabakh.

The CU member states should make a decision and take a definite
position on Armenia, and any precondition, especially in relation to
Karabakh, is inadmissible. Otherwise, Armenia will need to reconsider
its approaches to its entry into the Customs Union.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress