ARF

YEREVAN—The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Council of Armenia on Wednesday issued an announcement regarding Armenia’s decision to join the Russian-led Eurasian Customs Union.

Below is the English translation of the announcement:

The announcement in Moscow, of Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union was as much a landmark as it was a decision dictating great responsibility for the future of Armenia. It is possible to assume that at some point, considering the geopolitical state and developments, Armenia would join the Customs Union initiated by its strategic ally and would be included in the process of the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union.

But the fact of the matter is that until the announcement in Moscow, the authorities of the Republic of Armenia had not conveyed the necessary information both to the public and to the political forces. Furthermore, Armenia’s membership in a Customs Union with which Armenia does not share borders was regarded as impossible by the authorities. For years the authorities negotiated with the European Union about joining the Free Trade Zone and were on the brink of finalizing the EU Association Agreement.

We can assume that the main reasons for the unexpected decision by the President of the Republic of Armenia in Moscow were security concerns related to Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. This is an additional responsibility that at this stage will affect the national and state foundations.

The President’s decision has raised numerous questions within the public.

For us, any given economic integration must provide guarantees for the preservation and strengthening of the security of the Republics of Armenia and Mountainous Karabakh and for the integration and development of their economies. The issue of  the Customs Union must be also conditioned by these basic principles.

The joining in the Customs Union must not block the continuation and expansion of Armenia’s efforts toward the European vector, in particular the process of our country’s socio-political integration with the European Union. In addition, the decision made in Moscow cannot take out of the agenda the necessity of realizing systemic reforms in the country and of creating with joint forces a national, democratic, fair state.

We demand from Armenia’s authorities to inform the public and include the political parties in the decision making process before taking similar, fateful decisions about our country. Now that the process of joining the Customs Union shall begin, it is necessary to respect this modus operandi.

ARF-D Supreme Council of Armenia