Armenia-EU document will ‘stem from September 3’ - Arthur Ghazinyan
Arthur Ghazinyan, Manager of the ‘Human Rights and Democratization’ regional interdisciplinary master's program, believes that a document between Armenia and the European Union (EU), must in any way stem from the reality of Armenia’s decision to join the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) of September 4, 2013.
Mr Ghazinyan, Luxembourgish Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn has stated that, under a new agreement with the EU, Armenia will have a lower status than it would have under an Association Agreement. Moreover, Belarus and Armenia were viewed as equal. What is the reason for such a pessimistic statement if both EU official and Armenia’s authorities had until that moment been much more optimistic. What are your expectations about an Armenia-EU agreement?
Belarus and Armenia are in the same formal cooperation format as EEU member-states. The EU is cooperating with such states considering this fact. So the fact that the EU is viewing Belarus and Armenia as equal is only natural and we should not feel hurt. It was our decision to join the EEU. As regards the Armenia-EU agreement, I should note that cooperation has no potential beyond certain political arrangements because Armenia opted for economic integration with the EEU. You know that the EEU leader Russia is facing global problems with western democracies. Therefore, Armenia can now continue building up its cooperation with the EU. I cannot exactly predict the results, but I have doubts about any serious process.
But European officials recently stated that, given the Eastern Partnership project member-states’ peculiarities, the EU has to show differentiated approaches to them, which gave grounds for rather optimistic forecasts. However, they are now viewing Armenia as Belarus’ equal.
The Eastern Partnership project involves six states that have made different choices: Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine preferred association with the EU. On the other hand, such states as Armenia and Belarus opted for the EEU. One state, namely Azerbaijan, is not joining any integration process. If we speak of a legal agreement, they cannot ignore Armenia’s commitments to the EEU – first of all economic, and, in a sense, political commitments. Political commitments imply certain restrictions in further contacts with the EU. This is the reason for such statements by the prime minister and foreign minister of Luxembourg, EU chairing state – they are viewing Armenia as a potential partner. As to practical results, the matter has been discussed since September 4, 2013. The EU has since been stating its willingness to draft a new EU-Armenia agreement.
Economic indicators were recorded in 2014, according to which the EU was Armenia’s number one foreign trade partner. So your statement is not so accurate.
According to the data by Armenia’s Statistical Service, Armenia’s trade with the EU is larger than with Russia. That is, Armenia should have logically preferred the EU, and I had repeated stated that. That was a wrong and unpromising decision for Armenia, and we can see evidence thereof every moment.
The draft amendments to Armenia’s Constitution envisage referendums on Armenia’s membership in different suprastate structures. Do you think it will have retroactive force if the relevant point is enshrined in the final version?
As far as I am concerned, it is incorporated in the draft. As regard the latter part of your question, we are dealing with law – the constitution is enforced at the moment of adoption. That is, any actions before the Constitution is enforced cannot have retroactive force. Specifically, the fact is that Armenia joined the EEU without a national referendum and establishing constitutional norms.
That is, you believe that it can only be done pursuant to the head of the state’s political decision?
A political decision was made, and the country has to secede following the same procedure – provided a relevant decision is made.
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