Karen Karapetyan: Armenia claims to become bridge between EEU and other economic blocs

ArmInfo. Armenia claims to become bridge between EEU and other economic blocs, for example, European Union members, countries, who have signed an agreement on association with EU, also with Iran and countries of Near East, Karen Karapetyan, the  Prime-Minister of Armenia stated during his interview with Izvestia newspaper, estimating Armenian membership in EEU, perspectives of Russian-Armenian cooperation and the reasons why Yerevan did not enter the EU association.

According to Prime-Minister's words, entering the EU, Armenia, which  is the country with three million population, became a member of  something like  'club market'  with population about 183 mln people, which is understandable for Armenians and which, in its turn, understands Armenians. "Logics of EEU is pretty pragmatic for us, we become the five which unites big market. Armenia has all the chances to be successful there, and I do not see reasons not to be like that", Prime-Minister stated.  As the head of the Government thinks, the membership in the Union creates chances for Armenia. " Great deal of our production we export to  EEU market , at that is worth noting that according to data, in comparison to previous year GDP indexes after joining the Union increased in Armenia", he noted. The Prime-Minister is sure that Armenia does not use yet the potential which supposes EEU totally, and is going to continue productively within it.

The head of executive power noted that during  recent years export of Armenian agricultural production increased by 6 times. For providing qualified production Armenia started actively implementing methods of investigation and safety control of supplies, which are accepted in the territory of Eurasian Economic Union. Also the work is being implemented currently on strengthening the analytic base and laboratory equipments of Armenia. At that, Prime-Minister stressed that according the results of 2016 the commodity turnover between Armenia and Russia grew by 6%. Russian-Armenian cooperation is directed to trade- economic, energetic, transport, humanitarian spheres, also to the implementation of combined investing projects. Also Armenia has something to offer in a sphere of informative technologies and jewelry sectors.

Answering the question whether Armenia was suggested an association to EU , however Yerevan made a decision to join EEU  for good, and whether Karapetyan finds the decision right, the Prime-Minister stated that from the point of business development, attractive condition for Armenia is first of all big and clear market. "What about European Union, it is worth noting that EU is one of the biggest donors and investors in Armenia and, deepening the partnership with EEU countries, we stop cooperation with EU. We do not have limits in cooperation, investments and dialogues with European Union. Currently we lead open and transparent dialogue with European colleagues", he noted. At the same time, answering the question what future will have Armenian-Russian relations, Karen Karapetyan noted once again that Russia is the most important partner for  Armenia and the largest investor.

And, though, the relations between the two countries are pretty high, according the Prime-Minister, joint potential is even bigger. "We are interested our Russian partners to find new means and programs for implementing investments. Armenia is open for investments. We have something to offer our investors, and we create for them conditions where they can launch normal business, earn money, create new workplaces and pay taxes" he stated. As the Prime-Minister thinks, agreement on bilateral visa-free journeys of Russian residents to Armenia, including from February active regulations, according which Russian residents can come to Armenia via domestic passports, will give strong impulse for development of cultural- humanitarian relations and tourism. "I think Armenia, as a tourist country is underestimated for Russians yet, this year we aim to bring essential changes to better side", he noted.

 Besides, as the head of the Government informed, the schemes of agricultural equipments delivery are being discussed, creation of free economic zone, participation of Russian fund, cooperation with energetic branches, also the participation in Rosgeo programs of Armenia geological exploration.  To recall, as on March 15, during a meeting with Armenian colleague  Serzh  Sargsyan, the Russian leader Vladimir Putin stated, the  bilateral trade turnover by the end of 2016 registered growth by 6%.  Putin noted that it is a serious success in the context of the current unstable global economic situation.