‘Armenia’s entry into Customs Union will improve investment climate’

Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to assist with the process of Armenia’s joining the Customs Union in the most efficient way.

Delivering a speech at the 3rd Russian-Armenian interregional forum in Gyumri, the Russian leader said that Armenia’s intention to join the integration structures of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan creates ample opportunities to develop cooperation.

He underlined that the movement toward the Eurasian integration project is ‘a sovereign choice of the Armenian people’. “Of course, Russia will do everything to support that direction of cooperation with the Armenian side,” the Russian president added.
“We consider Armenia a full participant of integration,” Putin said, reminding those present that this approach was approved by the countries of the ‘troika’ at the October sitting of the Supreme Economic Council in Minsk.

“To develop the agreements reached at that time, practical preparations for the republic’s entry into the Customs Union have begun. Consultations are being held with the Eurasian Economic Commission and a large package of legal, administrative and other issues is to be reconciled,” V. Putin noted.

“We will help the Armenian friends so that the joining process could move ahead in the most efficient way,” Putin assured those present.

He expressed confidence that Armenia’s joining the Eurasian economic project will strengthen its economic potential, improve the investment climate and increase direct business contacts, especially at the regional level.