Armenia important for Eurasian Economic Union and vice versa – Armen Ashotyan

Vice-Chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Armen Ashotyan rules out Armenia establishing a customs border with Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) to join the Eurasian Economic Union.

He also said that Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union does not at all depend on Azerbaijan.
Mr Ashotyan, do you consider the possibility of Armenia establishing a customs border with Nagorno-Karabakh in order to join the Eurasian Economic Union?

This option is not an option for any person residing and working in Armenia, especially for ones engaged in politics. I cannot think of a member of any political party that would discuss such an idea.

Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh are one territory. Yes, we have two states, but they are one economic area, one cultural area and defense area. Armenia has repeatedly stated it is the guarantor of Nagorno-Karabakh’s security.

What is the reason that the three presidents did not discuss Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s letter with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in Astana, yesterday?

I do not think we have a right to such a statement of the question. First, letters are private affairs. Secondly, I would not make such a categorical statement. Thirdly, since I am for Armenia joining the Eurasian Economic Union, I would like to withhold comments.

Azerbaijan’s leadership is obviously envious of Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union and is well aware of the consequences. Moreover, the critics inside the country are well aware that, if acceding to the Eurasian Economic Union were a bad choice, Azerbaijan’s leadership would be pleased to see how Armenia would make the wrong geopolitical choice favored by the critics. The Azerbaijani authorities’ reaction is further evidence that they have well calculated all the results – political, economic and military – Armenia would get from acceding to the Eurasian Economic Union. And they are doing their utmost to prevent it. They will fail, because Armenia’s accession does not depend on Azerbaijan. And I think Armenia will join the Eurasian Economic Union within the deadline fixed yesterday and become a full member from January 1, 2015.

Mr Ashotyan, would it be right if, for example, Georgia’s president addressed a letter to Serzh Sargsyan and ask him to perceive Russia without Crimea?

I do not think it we need to comment on which presidents could address letters to their counterparts in other states. I do not think that yesterday’s statements could prove impede the process of Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union because Kazakhstan, Belarus and Russia, have repeatedly emphasized their interest in Armenia. And our constructive relations with different states are anchored in our relations with Moscow. It is no secret that such unions normally have the leading force. In the European Union, it is France and Germany. In the case of the Eurasian Economic Union I like the fact of all the partners being equal, without Russia’s domination. Russia is ready to discuss its partners’ proposals.

Every state voiced its own interest, so why was no question raised as to the interest of Armenia?

For me, it is absolutely natural to see the main countries speak of de jure established trio. Once Armenia’s membership process is over, Armenia and other countries will natural talk of their interests.

Mr Ashotyan, what option will be the choice under the circumstances to cover the interests of both Armenia and Azerbaijan? Perhaps, the option that Russia relies on as a guideline in the weapons sale deal; I mean supplying weapons to Armenia, its strategic ally, and selling them to Azerbaijan, thus ensuring a guarantee of peace?

I will rephrase the question if you let me. For Armenia, the Eurasian Union membership process is linked exclusively to Armenia’s interests. The Azerbaijani factor does naturally exist for the Eurasian Union member states, so that factor is geopolitically wrong. So Armenia obviously guides itself with its own approaches in the relationship with the countries the Eurasian Union member states have problems with, but it certainly respects the interests of its strategic ally. Foreign policy is a very delicate category, so relying on extremes or making implied assessments is wrong. As for Armenia’s interests in the weapons’ sale, the arms race does really create concerns, in addition to Azerbaijan’s continuing purchase of a large quantity of weapons from Russia. But it is obvious, at the same time, that Russia is a political-military ally of Armenia, so if you let me make the half-joking remark, this situation reminds me of the Brazilian national [football] team whose slogan you know: “let them kick as many balls as they can, and we will kick as many as we need”. I think it is possible to re-formulate theses approaches in the technical-military relations with Russia to allow Azerbaijan to buy as many weapons as it can and ‘help Armenia in the CSTO [Collective Security Treaty Organization] frameworks as much as we need.’”

One finalizing question: you said the neighbor all the time makes requests on most different occasions, so what am I supposed to do with such a neighbor, after all?

I cannot give an answer instead of you, but of course, the moment comes when you get tired of that neighbor and start avoiding it. But there are neighbors who are important to you, because they have the shield of light on their territory, for example, or the water line passes through there.

I brought that example from the psychological point of view, and it is clear to me how the president of Kazakhstan read out that part, as though saying, ‘I say, because I have been asked to’. It is obvious that Kazakhstan has its own interests with Azerbaijan, and it is easily understandable. Looking at the map, it clearly becomes obvious that the same Kazakhstan could have a serious role in ensuring Europe’s energy independence provided it has common energy communications with Azerbaijan. And we already have them. So it isn’t possible to ignore all this in politics. Hence, it is a factor on one scale of the balance, with Armenia’s importance for the Eurasian Union being on the other scale, as a unique country. First, we are actually the only South Caucasian country that has launched a process of Eurasian Union membership. So if Armenia is not a member of the Eurasian Union, the EU borders with the Eurasian Union will pass across North Caucasus exclusively. Hence Armenia’s membership opens for that union new markets and new political military platforms, such as the Middle East, Near Asia and the region which is adjacent to us. The second unique feature is that Armenia is an exceptional country which has an influential and organized diaspora whose influence can also be of interest to the Eurasian Union member states. It is obvious that Armenia, with its geopolitical embrace, is a bigger and more serious country compared to the geographic area we occupy.