Kovalenko: Entry into Customs Union stems from Armenia’s interests

“Entry into the Customs Union stems from Armenia’s national and state interests and is the only correct solution for Armenia. This decision will consolidate the position and strengthen the authority of Armenia in the South Caucasian region,” Russian Ambassador to Armenia and Georgia in 2009-2013, Director of Regional Programs at Caspian Cooperation Institute Vyacheslav Kovalenko said today during a Moscow-Yerevan video bridge, when discussing Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union and the future of that union.

In his words, he has an impression that pessimistic sentiments prevail in Armenia in connection with the country’s entry into the Customs Union.

“Entry into the Customs Union will lead to the establishment of small and medium enterprises and agricultural development,” Kovalenko said.

“In parallel with cooperation in military-technical and security spheres, humanitarian cooperation will develop as well since it is planned to open Moscow State University’s branch in Yerevan. Armenians residing in southern regions of Russia will also be able to study at the MSU branch, V. Kovalenko said.

Alexander Skakov, coordinator of a working group of the Central Asia and Caucasus Studies Center of the Institute of Oriental Studies of Russian Academy of Sciences, said for his part that a roadmap of the Customs Union has not been developed yet, while the Customs Union itself is still an unclear program.

He expressed hope that the Customs Union will place emphasis on economic cooperation, rather than political goals.