Expert blog: Armenia may reconsider its decision on entry into CU

The Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s statement concerning Armenia’s entry into the Customs Union (CU) requires explanations. If the other members of the Customs Union, i.e. Russia and Kazakhstan, share Lukashenko’s opinion, then it is not ruled out that Armenia may deem it expedient to reconsider its decision on entry into the CU. Meanwhile, signals coming from Kazakhstan seem to confirm the doubts that those in Kazakhstan share Lukashenko’s opinion.

“As regards Armenia’s entry into the CU, Azerbaijan’s opinion should be taken into account as Armenia has an unresolved territorial issue with Azerbaijan,” the president of Belarus particularly said.

It should be noted that Lukashenko made two gross mistakes in one sentence. First, the Karabakh problem is not a territorial issue, and it is unacceptable for our partner in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to try to present the problem in that dimension. Secondly, it is incomprehensible why – when Armenia is on the path of joining the CU - Minsk uses a language of preconditions when speaking to Yerevan, and it also notes the importance of the approach of Azerbaijan, which is not especially interested in the Customs Union.

No doubt the Belarusian president understands clearly all the nuances of the negotiating process on Nagorno Karabakh, but the impression is that CU members, cashing in on the problem, are trying to create artificial obstacles with the aim of blocking Armenia’s entry into the CU. Although Kazakhstan earlier welcomed Armenia’s decision, it is obvious that this country has reservations, in particular, concerning Karabakh.

The CU member states should make a decision and take a definite position on Armenia, and any precondition, especially in relation to Karabakh, is inadmissible. Otherwise, Armenia will need to reconsider its approaches to its entry into the Customs Union.