Dual use goods in EU-Armenia relations – opinions

Difficulties often emerge in the EU-Armenia relations when it comes to the import and export of dual use goods, Karen Vardanyan, COE of the Union of Information Technology Enterprises (UITE), told Tert.am, commenting on the reports about EU plans to stop supplying dual-use high-tech products to Russia (as a punitive measure).

That is, the punitive measures will apply to Armenia as well if Armenia joins the Eurasian Economic Union (EaEU) within the announced timeframe.

“The import of dual-use goods to Armenia, particularly from the EU member-states, has been difficult, and Armenia’s authorities have shown a formal approach because of the Western states’ pressure with respect to the import of dual-use goods,” he said.

“The point is that dual-use goods are clearly differentiated from other goods. However, since customs officers are not qualified to differentiate, they send them for special examination. It is the fifth year that we have been trying to facilitate the procedure because it creates problems in our work,” he said.

Vardanyan said he means both the import and export of dual use products.

“Because the West, particularly the United States, has improved the relations with Iran, they have now started the delivery of dual [use products]. In that respect, I think, it is important to lift that restriction for us so that we could supply Iran with Hi-Tech products,” he explained.

The specialist said he sees only one way out: negotiations between Armenia’s Foreign Ministry and the EU in an attempt to prevent the country from incurring the influence of the “attitude to Russia”. He further stressed the need of facilitating the customs check procedures.

Economist Tatul Manaseryan says he believes that it is important to focus on the political rather than economic aspect of the sanctions. Speaking to Tert.am, the economist noted that both Russia and the EU member states have got laws on dual use goods.

“Dual use goods can be used in both civil and military industries. These sanctions should be considered in a political rather than economic context, as the EU member states are tied to Russia with many bonds, though the enforcement of sanctions is undesirable for Russia,” he said.

Manaseryan did not rule out the possibility of new scenarios until autumn, the expected period of Armenia’s accession to the Russia-led economic bloc.

Asked whether Armenia’s accession would be advantageous at all given that many expert analyses forecast a downfall in Russia’s economy, the expert warned against relying on such evaluations. “Evaluations by such experts are either very sophisticated and not based on profound analyses or simply politicized. It is important to make a comprehensive study of Russia’s economy. Besides, the Eurasian Union is not just limited to the Russian Federation. By joining the EaEU, Armenia gets the chance to increase its consumer markets a hundred times. The same goes for industries, agriculture and high technologies – all the spheres without any exception. This is quite a favorable situation for Armenia. Of course, the end goal for us is the European market, the United States and Japan, which pursue higher standards, but we have a long way to pass to achieve that,” he added.

Noting that Armenia has recorded a serious progress in institutional reforms, the expert said he thinks that the achievements in that and many other sectors that have seen a considerable success should give the country the status of a leading country, not just an ordinary member state, in the Customs Union. Manaseryan noted the EU based its decision to sign an Association Agreement with Armenia on the progress in those particular sectors.