In a multi-part interview with the “Aravot” newspaper, RSC Senior Analyst David Shahnazaryan assessed the implications from the Armenian bid to join the Russian-dominated Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). In the interview, entitled, “Membership in Eurasian economic union makes Armenia a captive,” Shahnazaryan pointed out the negative implications of such a move, adding “there is no single economic reason for Armenia’s membership in the Russia-led union. Armenia has no economic border with any of its member states; its accession to the Eurasian Economic Union will entail a greater economic downfall and further worsening of people’s living standards.”
.He went to add that “most importantly, Armenia’s accession to the EEU is anti-constitutional because an important component of its sovereignty – economic policy- will be handed over to a transnational body, which is banned by the Constitution and can’t be circumvented even by a referendum. The accession will actually mean the usurpation of Armenia.”
He further noted that “the only argument that was cited by the authorities was the security consideration, however, all the developments show that the largest internal threat to Armenia’s sovereignty is corruption, and the largest external threat emanates from Russia. According to a draft EEU agreement, after joining the union, Armenia will not be able to revoke its membership in it without the consent of other members. This means making Armenia a captive.”
Armenian: http://www.aravot.am/2014/10/09/504280/