Armenia's Membership in the EEU Raises More Questions than It Answers

Babken Dergrigorian

 

Upon reading Harut Sassounian’s latest article “The West Must Offer Armenia Incentives Rather than Decry its Ties with Russia,” I have been compelled to write a response addressing its shortcomings and inaccuracies, increasingly common also within the broader narratives regarding Armenia’s accession into the EEU in the Armenian community.

The West Must Offer Armenia Incentives Rather Than Decry Its Ties with Russia

Harut Sassounian

On October 10, after lengthy heated debates, Armenia signed a treaty to join the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), composed of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia. The agreement goes into effect on January 1, 2015, subject to ratification by parliaments of the four countries. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have also expressed an interest in joining the Union.

Youth Group Vows More Protests Against Armenian Entry Into Russian Bloc

Hovannes Movsisian

 

Youth activists who organized a demonstration in Yerevan against Russia’s visiting President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that they will stage more street protests against Armenia’s accession to the Russian-led customs union.
They also vowed to campaign for President Serzh Sarkisian’s resignation, accusing him of sacrificing their country’s independence and sovereignty.

Unwelcome Guest, Undesired Host: A Street Perspective of Putin’s Armenia Visit

Samson Martirosyan

 

On Dec. 2, 1920, Armenian Prime Minister Alexandre Khatisian signed the Alexandropol Treaty between the First Republic of Armenia and Turkey. Pro-Soviet forces took control of Armenia’s government, and the country was declared a Soviet state. Exactly 93 years later, on Dec. 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Armenia to welcome President Serge Sarkisian’s decision to join the Russian-led Custom’s Union, which many argue is an incarnation of the Russian imperialistic appetite and an attempt to create a Soviet Union 2.0.

Language and Loss: Russian Schools in Armenia Raise Concerns

Julia Hakobyan

 



The news on Armenia's accession to the Customs Union, voiced during the September visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to Moscow, has given place to speculations in Armenia, that Moscow will take serious efforts in the promotion of the Russian language in Armenia.        

Democracy, Sovereignty and Armenia’s Eurasian Path

Houry Mayissian

 



As Armenia turns 22 this month, our country finds itself at a crossroads—perhaps the most defining one in its independent existence. After four years of negotiations with the European Union (EU) on the terms of an Association Agreement as part of the Eastern Partnership program, President Serge Sarkisian last week announced Armenia would join the Russian-led Customs Union.

The Customs Union of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and now Armenia will be the foundation of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) with its own executive body and a single currency. To be launched in January 2015, the EEU is largely seen as Russia’s alternative to the EU.

How Russia Pulled Armenia into the Customs Union

Luke Rodeheffer

The European Union’s Eastern Partnership was dealt a major blow as Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan made a surprise announcement that his republic will join Russia’s Customs Union during a visit to Moscow in early September. E.U. leaders expressed shock and dismay at the surprise about-face, while members of the Armenian opposition protested the decision outside the presidential palace in Yerevan.