Armenian MPs undecided about EEU deal as ratification vote nears

The Treaty on Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) is to be submitted to the National Assembly for ratification within 1.5 months after its signing (under the Law on International Treaties). Though he parliamentary factions have repeatedly stated their opinions on the deal since President Serzh Sargsyan’s landmark statement (made in September last year), Tert.am has tried to once again clarify positions from different political forces ahead of the voting.

Prosperous Armenia

This political faction’s secretary, Naira Zohrabyan, says they cannot have a position on a document they haven’t ever seen. “When it comes to the National Assembly for a debate and we see to what extent that document reflects our concerns, the faction will express its position. I don’t think any faction or political force can express an objective opinion on a document it hasn’t seen.”

Zohrabyan referred to the concerns over the problematic issue of a customs checkpoint between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh and the risks stemming from the increased customs duties on over 800 categories of goods. She said they are hopeful to hear exhaustive answers at the parliamentary debates.

Zohrabyan added that the 36-member faction has not yet reached consensus, adding that they are planning a new discussion ahead of the voting to develop common approaches.

Asked what their party’s leader thinks about the deal, the Prosperous Armenia secretary simply replied, “Mr [Gagik] Tsarukyan will express his position.”

Armenian National Congress (ANC)

The faction’s leader, Levon Zurabyan, refrained from expressing any opinion when contacted by our correspondent for comments. Former Military Prosecutor Gagik Jhangiryan, who also represents this political force at the National Assembly, said they will decide on their position after the document is on the parliament’s agenda.

At the opposition’s rally earlier this month, first President and current ANC leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan described the EEU accession process as an irreversible development.

Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaksutyun (ARF-D)

This faction’s leader, Armen Rustamyan, gave a somewhat welcoming remark when asked about the deal. “Dashnaksutyun always has its decisions, which are not of conceptual importance; they aren’t easily changed or reconsidered unlike those of [other individuals] and some political forces.”

As for the concerns over a possible customs checkpoint with Nagorno-Karabakh, Rustamyan said he thinks that the party would really feel embarrassed if that scenario were realistic. “That document will be brought [to parliament]. And you will see it says nothing of the kind,” he told our correspondent.

Heritage

The faction’s secretary, Tevan Poghosyan, said he expect their lawmakers to reach a consensus before the voting.

“I have several times heard [Heritage faction leader Ruben] Hakobyan say that Armenia should not be a member in any union, considering the conflict situations,” he said.

The remark suggests that the other Heritage members support an association deal with the EU, with the faction’s leader being against both the Eurasian and European integration processes.

Alexander Arzumanyan, a former foreign minister who is formally affiliated with this faction, says he has no other choice but to vote against.

Speaking to Tert.am, the politician said he doesn’t expect members of the ruling Republican faction to vote against the deal in a surprise move. “I can only guess that Heritage will vote against; as for the othera, judging by the rally, both the ANC and Prosperous Armenia are proponents. But it still remains to be seen,” he told our correspondent.

Rule of Law

Heghine Bisharyan, who heads this political faction, said she thinks they first need to see the treaty before saying anything for or against.

“As you see, the press is flooded with different negative opinions forecasting market surges. The major difficulty is, of course, the fact that we do not share borders with the EEU member states and have no idea as to our possible advantages. I am optimistic about it even though the negative is highlighted more. So let us simply try to listen to the opinions,” she added.

Republican

Koryun Nahapetyan, who represents the ruling political faction in parliament, says he expects their lawmakers to develop their common positions after talks with a government representative.

“The document hasn’t been submitted yet; once it is, the corresponding committee and the Republican faction will organize debates,” he told Tert.am.