Armenia is a sovereign nation with its own path to chart forward – US ambassador

In recent comments to Tert.am, US Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern shared his views on President Serzh Sargsyan’s statement expressing support to the country's membership in the Eurasian Customs Union. The diplomat said particularly that the decision is for Armenia and the Armenia people, the success being on the country’s side in case of maintaining a range of options in the political, economic and security spheres.

Mr Ambassador, do you think Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union is an important landmark decision that conflicts with the country’s foreign policy course in effect for the past couple of years?

Armenia is a sovereign nation with its own path to chart forward and this is a decision for Armenia and Armenians. We agree that these decisions are of vital importance to the future of your country but they are a question for Armenia’s citizens and elected leadership.

Eduard Sharmazanov, a spokesperson for the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, said in earlier comments to Tert.am that nothing out of the ordinary happened in Moscow, as Armenia has always emphasized that it backs the “both … and” policies, i.e. – deepening the relationship with Russia, Armenia’s strategic ally, while simultaneously expanding the dialogue with European organizations. Do you accept Sharmazanov’s viewpoint?

The Embassy’s position, and the goal of our activities, is and has been to support Armenia having options. We all agree that we want Armenia to succeed and a key part of that success is developing options.

To what extent do you think the membership in the Customs Union will close the door to the EU Association Agreement, as well as the Free and Comprehensive Trade Area deal, given that the politicians in Yerevan say that the documents - especially the latter - conflict with the Customs Union charter?

As the Association Agreement is a framework designed by the European Union, we are not in a position to comment on the specifics of how Armenia’s decision to join the Eurasian Customs Union will impact its connection to the EU’s Association Agreement..

There have been comments that the deal is blackmailing by Russia. What’s your opinion?

I think you would have to ask Armenia’s elected leadership about that question. As I have stated on numerous occasions, I think Armenia places itself in a position to succeed when it maintains a range of options in the political, economic and security spheres.

During his visit to Armenia, Stefan Fule, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, did not give a definitive answer to the question about possible Russian pressures against Armenia. He said, nonetheless, that they see absolutely no problem since the Eastern Partnership does not impose dilemmas on member states. He said further that it is necessary to offer compatibility conditions to both the EU and the Eurasian Union to enable them to create a free trade area extending from Lisbon to Vladivostok, Russia. So the question is, why does Armenia’s decision come as a surprise to European officials?

I am sure that our European Union colleagues will have definite opinions about this recent development, but you’d have to talk with them. I think reactions and emotions have the potential to run high when so many people have invested such time and resources into an agreement.