H. Abrahamian: Our authorities are for Association Agreement initialining

“As soon as we have the document with all the arguments in favor, we will express our opinion. But I say once again that this is the Armenian president’s intention that is within the scope of his powers. He gave his consent to our entry into the Customs Union. As soon as the documents are ready, we will speak to the point,” Speaker of the National Assembly Hovik Abrahamian said during a briefing in the parliament today.

Commenting on the recent statement of European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule, the parliamentary speaker noted that entry into the Customs Union does not contradict the Association Agreement.

“The Armenian authorities are for the Agreement’s initialing in Vilnius. There is a second party whose representatives will arrive in Armenia tomorrow, meet with the country’s authorities and a decision will be taken based on the meetings’ results, “Abrahamian declared.

He stressed that Armenia will continue joint work with the European Union and deepen the process of reforms.

Asked when Armenia informed European partners about its decision to join the Customs Union – according to Stefan Fule, it happened on August 30, Hovik Abrahamian replied that Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian gave a definite answer to that question.

“It was not a hasty decision. The Armenian president announced his decision and expressed consent, and various processes have stemmed from that. When we have an agreed-on option, it will be presented to the parliament for discussion,” Hovik Abrahamian said.

In his words, Armenia should take a decision, taking into account its interests and security considerations.

We would remind you that at the September 3 meeting in Moscow, Presidents of Armenia and Russia, Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin, discussed the state and prospects of bilateral allied partnership and issues of foreign-policy interaction. The heads of the two states confirmed the intention of Yerevan and Moscow to further develop economic integration processes in the Eurasian space.

In accordance with a joint statement, President Sargsyan stated about Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union and take the necessary practical steps for that purpose and later to take part in the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union. President Putin supported the decision of the Republic of Armenia and expressed the Russian side’s willingness to assist with that process in every possible way.