Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

The European Union expects a clarification from Yerevan on Armenia's decision to join the Customs Union, which was founded by Russia, according to EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, Armenian media reported.

"We expect clarifications from Armenia, and then we will be able to assess what outcomes it will have," Maya Kosyanchich, Ashton's spokesperson, told reporters in Brussels.

"President Serzh Sargsyan announced that Armenia has made a decision to join the Customs Union, to take the necessary steps in that direction and to participate in the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union," said a joint statement of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Sargsyan following negotiations on Sept.3, RIA Novosti reported.

The Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia has already fostered partial economic integration between the three countries, and the Eurasian Union is said to be a continuation of this organization.

The Russian President supported Armenia's decision and expressed Moscow's readiness to assist in that process in every way possible. He also said that Russia remains Armenia's number one trading partner.

A summit of the EU leadership and leaders of the EU Eastern Partnership program member states will be held on November 2013 in Vilnus. During the summit it is expected to initial an Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with several countries including Armenia.

The Eastern Partnership initiative was put forward by Poland and Sweden, approved at the EU summit in Brussels in 2008 and officially launched in May 2009 in Prague. The program's goal is bringing the EU closer to Ukraine, Armenia, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Belarus without their admission to the EU.

Armenia's unexpected decision caused surprise of numerous politicians and experts.

According to Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, Armenia is likely to refuse to negotiate on a free trade agreement with the EU and integrate with Russia.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius said in his interview to AFP that Armenia has blocked its chances of signing an agreement on establishing a free trade zone with the European Union, Armenian news agency Mediamax reported.

Lithuania took over the presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1, 2013.

"The EU respects the decision on joining the Customs Union which was declared by the Armenian president in Moscow, but 'two systems are incompatible'," the Lithuanian minister noted.

"We respect any choice of the countries, but they cannot join two organizations at the same time due to differences in tariff issues," Linkevičius added.

Furthermore, diplomats and officials in Brussels are reportedly shocked by the unexpected move of Armenia, which announced its intention to join the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, Secretary General of the Heritage Party Stepan Safarian who is in the Belgian capital was quoted as saying.

"For the past several hours they can hide neither their surprise, nor rage and it was obvious at all the meetings. Both the European Commission and Parliament are waiting for Yerevan to offer an explanation. I wonder what fairy-tale they will come up with this time," Safarian wrote on his Facebook page.

Any decision over Armenia's joining the Customs Union will require bringing the country's legislation into line with the general norms, Kazakh Minister for Economic Integration Zhanar Aytzhanova told media on Sept. 4.

"The country's joining the Customs Union requires observing certain procedures. So, if there is inconsistency in the legislation, the acceding country will have to catch up on this issue," Aytzhanova said.

She said the decision about Armenia's accession to the Customs Union will be taken at the level of heads of member states of the union.

"Kazakhstan supports such a political decision of the Armenian leadership," she said. "The Customs Union is an open organization for membership."

Russian expert Alexander Knyazev said that Armenia's accession to the Customs Union will not bring significant economic benefits as the country has no common borders with the countries of the Union.

"This will not give any principal impulse given the country is not situated in the common space of the Customs Union," Knyazev said.

The expert believes that the only possible change after Armenia's accession to the Customs Union might be simplification of migration processes.

According to Knyazev, at the same time Armenia's accession will not affect the Union's activities.

"Compare the demographic, spatial and resource volume of the economies of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus with [that of] Armenia...If Armenia does something positive it will simply dissolve in the scale of these three countries and will not be a factor for the overall development," the expert said.

In addition, Armenia is strongly dependent on Russia financially and economically, Knyazev said.

According to Knyazev, Armenia's decision to join the Customs Union is to the most extent a political step and desire to get some dividends.

At the same time the expert said it is also important for Russia in order to keep Armenia in its sphere of influence.

As for Armenia's plans to develop close cooperation with the EU, the accession into the Customs Union will not affect this, the expert said.

Meanwhile, more than 100 people joined a protest against Armenia's joining the Customs Union, reports say.