Armenia must proactively promote its goods on Eurasian market - Republican politician

Armenia presently needs proactive economic policies to advertise its product on the Eurasian market, a senior member of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) said today, commenting on Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan’s statement that our domestic market remains largely underestimated by most Russian companies.

Speaking to Tert.am, Eduard Sharmazanov, a deputy leader of the ruling political force, stressed the need of active work especially by government bodies to ensure a better representation of Armenian goods across the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

“What we need is to do really active work and pursue proactive economic policies. That applies to our Ministry of Economy, Employers' Union and us, the parliamentarians,” he said, disagreeing to the critics' repeated calls for suspending the country's membership in the Union.

“That’s not only pointless but also dangerous for Armenia. What integration format do they propose instead of the EEU? We would thus close our way to the 180-million market. And who is then expected to supply us with natural gas which we buy for $155? Hence repeating myself, I have to say that our entry into the Eurasian Economic Union is a serious opportunity, the opposite scenario posing very serious hazards to Armenia’s economy,” he said.

Asked whether the 600-million European market wouldn't open up more opportunties, the politician kept insisting on the EEU market’s higher advantages for Armenia. “It is not just a desire; the legal-contractual basis also matters. Why don’t they [the critics] read the Riga Declaration to see whether the EU wishes to really expand its boundaries. Do they expect to sell the Armenian brandy next to the Iranian product? Our goods are objectively more competitive on the Eurasian market.”

As major challenges of European integration, Sharmazaznov cited the potentially higher prices of natural gas, a sharp increase in customs duties and restrictions on the employment rights of those who work freely in the Eurasian economic zone.

 “I see no alternative to the EEU. And that’s not just a political whim; suspending our [membership] poses serious, probably even fatal challenges to Armenia. Most importantly, it will take some 10-20 years until we attract new markets,” he added.