Friday, December 27 2013

When making the decision on joining the Customs Union (CU), we knew that it is a multifactor process; that is to say, there will be positive and negative factors, Prime Minister of Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan, said at today's press-conference. 

"The CU membership is in the best interests of our country, citizenry. First, we can access a large market where we will sell our products", - he said. Asked why did not the authorities make a decision to join the CU three years ago, he replied: "We were thinking that not having a border with the CU member countries is a serious obstacle in the CU accession.  When developing plans with the RF, references were being made to the CU, and this was creating problems; that is why a working group was set up," - Sargsyan said and added that the first problem was the customs duty rates, which are very low in Armenia.

"We found a common ground that our partners can assist in this matter.The second matter concerns the absence of a common border. It was suggested to us that we cross the border of third countries via transit. It was noted that more relaxed procedures will be implemented," Sargsyan said. He thinks that Armenia's joining the CU creates a basis for sustainable growth in the country.

"Large-scale direct investments will be made, which Armenia needs. This is a social growth, job creation for our citizens," Tigran Sargsyan added.

To recall, when meeting President of Russia Vladimir Putin on 3 September in Moscow, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said about Armenia's intention to join the Customs Union. Before that, since 2010 Armenia has been actively cooperating with the EU on signing the Association Agreement and DCFTA.