(?)What’s your opinion about the integration level in the post-soviet area? Would you comment on your country’s position on the Eurasian Union?
(!)Integration is a process of consequent events. The USSR collapse resulted in emergence of independent states but it was impossible to break all economic, spiritual and human ties by a political decision. The process of integration was kicked off by Russia and Belarus. The idea of Eurasian Union appeared in 1990s, with the first stage of its formation being a common customs space.
The experience that was accumulated in the process of allied relations between Russia and Belarus will certainly be used for the Eurasian Union. It should be mentioned that creation of a common customs area allowed increasing the trade turnover betweens Belarus and Kazakhstan by 30 times thanks to lifting customs barriers.
(?)What will the member countries gain as members of the Union? How can Armenia benefit from the initiative?
(!)The customs union between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan is first of all convey a powerful impetus for economies of the three states. I believe that the next step will be creation of a currency union.
The success of the Eurasian Union will attract other post-soviet countries, including Armenia. The problem here is the absence of a common border, although nobody knows what will happen in 5 years, for example. Anyway, Armenia’s joining the Union would be a great benefit, as there are plenty of prerequisites for it, specifically, the close ties between the Armenian and Russian people.
I believe that the Eurasian Union will develop and create new and more flexible conditions for the other countries.
(?)How will membership of the Eurasian Union affect the process of European integration?
(!)Will it? The process of globalization which supposes unification of world trade is under way. Russia is entering the WTO and accepting the obligations Armenia is already fulfilling. If we exclude egoistic aspirations and follow the principle of mutual benefit, I think the process will be accelerated.
