Armenia’s accession treaty with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) seems unlikely to be drafted before July 1 contrary to assurances given to President Serzh Sarkisian by the Russian-led alliance’s three member states.
Speaking at the EEU’s founding summit held in Astana on May 29, Sarkisian asked the presidents of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan to ensure that the treaty is signed by June 15. They promised only that the text will be drafted by July 1.
The authorities in Yerevan have been light-lipped about the drafting process so far. Sarkisian did not comment on possible dates for joining the EEU in a rare interview with Armenian state television aired on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamian likewise shed no light on membership dates as he spoke to journalists in Yerevan on Friday. Asked when Armenia’s accession treaty will be signed, Abrahamian, said “Meetings will be held and a decision will be made. That should happen on July 3.” He did not specify who will take part in those meetings.
Armenia’s entry into the EEU and its predecessor organization, the Customs Union, appears to have been delayed by misgivings voiced by Kazakhstan and Belarus. In particular, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev made clear at the Astana summit that the treaty with Yerevan must have a special provision about Armenia’s internationally recognized borders that do not encompass Nagorno-Karabakh.
Speaking at the EEU’s founding summit held in Astana on May 29, Sarkisian asked the presidents of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan to ensure that the treaty is signed by June 15. They promised only that the text will be drafted by July 1.
The authorities in Yerevan have been light-lipped about the drafting process so far. Sarkisian did not comment on possible dates for joining the EEU in a rare interview with Armenian state television aired on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamian likewise shed no light on membership dates as he spoke to journalists in Yerevan on Friday. Asked when Armenia’s accession treaty will be signed, Abrahamian, said “Meetings will be held and a decision will be made. That should happen on July 3.” He did not specify who will take part in those meetings.
Armenia’s entry into the EEU and its predecessor organization, the Customs Union, appears to have been delayed by misgivings voiced by Kazakhstan and Belarus. In particular, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev made clear at the Astana summit that the treaty with Yerevan must have a special provision about Armenia’s internationally recognized borders that do not encompass Nagorno-Karabakh.