Armenia-US trade and investment agreement of paramount importance – Styopa Safaryan
In an interview with Tert.am, Styopa Safaryan, Chairman of the Armenian Institute of International and Security Affairs (AIISA), attached high importance to an Armenia-US framework agreement on investments signed during Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s visit to Washington.
The opening of the Armenian-Turkish border is the prime mover behind the US initiatives aimed at Armenia-Turkey reconciliation.
Mr Safaryan, US Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills confirmed reports that Armenia and the US pledged to sign a framework trade and investment agreement during Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s working visit to Washington. What does the document envisage?
First, this is a most serious political signal in terms of development of US-Armenia relations. Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) gave rise to numerous uncertainties as to whether the world would prefer deep relations with Armenia. Of course, the European Union (EU) is a special issue, and we are going to see relevant developments at the Riga summit. Besides, the development of Armenia-US relations was another important issue. The US ambassador’s statement shortly after he assumed office was most interesting, as, according to him, the US could view Armenia as a serious strategic partner – its number one economic partner. I should remind you that many people are pessimistic about it, but a serious process was in progress at that time, and the ambassador’s statement was not without grounds. And the signing of the agreement during Serzh Sargsyan’s visit is evidence thereof. What is the importance of the document? First of all, it is politically important as it proves Armenia-US relations will progress despite Armenia’s EEU membership. Besides, the US intends to allow Armenia to use its GS system. It is as attractive and important to Armenia’s economy as the EU’s GS system. And it will certainly cause an increase in turnover, especially since the trade and economic agreement envisages investments in Armenia. Therefore, it is a quite comprehensive agreement.
Mr Safaryan, according to some analyses, the agreement is chiefly intended to ensure opening of the Armenian-Turkish border. And if the US plans to invest in Armenia, won’t the closed border prove to be an obstacle in US businessmen’s way?
The border problem is a rather grave one, and the world has over recent years entertained hopes and made efforts to resolve it. We could even say that this problem has been highlighted as part of the process of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and, on the other hand, caused the US president to show restraint so that he did not use the word “genocide.” Therefore, I do not think obstacles to opening the border have been removed. First of all, opening of the Armenian-Turkish border is of paramount importance not only for Armenia’s economy, but also for the West in terms of Armenia and opportunities for diversifying the country’s economy. The West has come to realize that a closed border is to the benefit of traditional actors in the Caucasus, Iran or Russia. Therefore, opening of the border has been highlighted in the context of affording Armenia greater opportunities to implement an independent policy. So we can say that it has been the primary aim of the efforts – not only to resolve the problem of Armenia-Turkey reconciliation. Of course, the US task to develop bilateral trade and economic relations is of importance for enhancing Armenia’s freedom. But I think it will hardly result in opening of the Armenian-Turkish border because it is not a key to opening. Regrettably, Turkey continues linking opening of the border to the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.
Interview by Meri Mikaelyan
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