S. Safarian: Customs Union membership resembles forced marriage

Armenia is prepared to deepen relations with the European Union to the extent that the Customs Union or, to be more exact, Russia will permit, and Russia will not permit this. Secretary of Heritage Party’s board Stepan Safarian expressed that opinion at a meeting with reporters today.

“The Armenian authorities have brought the country to the line where not only the degree of Armenia’s sovereignty, but also the basic rights to implement its own policy and choose its strategic partners is under threat. All political figures and citizens concerned about Armenia’s future must prevent this,” Safarian stated.

In his words, entry into the Customs Union resembles a forced marriage.

“Entry into the Customs Union disturbs the balance in our foreign policy. We start to face completely new realities. One should not contrast association with the EU with entry into the Customs Union. By signing an Association Agreement with the EU, Armenia doesn’t disturb the balance – as opposed to joining the Customs Union, “ Safarian noted.