“After joining the EEU, Armenia has lost its sovereignty”
“The main loss for Armenia was that we missed the opportunity to initial Association Agreement with the EU, which in addition to many privileges, will make Armenia a favorable country for investment and bridge us with the European market,” economist Ashot Yeghiazaryan said on Saturday speaking about Armenia’s membership to the Eurasian Economic Union and the losses Armenia has suffered as a result of that membership. “The signing of the Association Agreement would give indirect security guarantees to Armenia and Karabakh but now we have lost that opportunity. On the other hand, after the membership to the EEU, we have witnessed a decline in the GDP performance instead of strong growth. Besides, there has been a sharp decline in foreign circulation and an increase in state debts by more than $ 700 mln, whereas Armenia could have become a real bridge for many investors. By the way, today marks the third year since Armenia has joined the EEU. Officially Armenia has been the member of that structure since January 2, 2015. He thinks that by joining the EEU, Armenia has lost its sovereignty, “The fact that Armenia must have been a bridge between the EEU and the EU, doesn’t resist any criticism; Russia destroys, burns all the bridges of Armenia with other countries. Armenia’s sovereignty will be restored the day it leaves the EEU and the CSTO. Denominated in dollars, we sustained economic decline more than by 9 percent. There has been a decline in foreign trade, in the exportation sphere, by 4 percent etc. The turnover without customs duties also hasn’t justified the expectations. Last year only 61 million customs duties were levied.” He is sure that the EEU is a failed project and has no future. The remark of one of the journalists, that during the recent meeting between Vladimir Putin and Serzh Sargsyan, the RF President said that after joining the EEU Armenia has had 10 percent growth in the GDP performance, reminded Ashot Yeghiazaryan of similar statement by Vladimir Putin when signing the EEU document, “It is a fact that Armenia hasn’t had such a growth. If there is some growth, it hasn’t been thanks to the EEU, but thanks to increase in foreign debt, some inner sustainability and other factors.”
