BISHKEK (TCA)—Israel is interested in the creation of a free trade zone with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.
“Several dozen countries have come up with proposals to sign agreements with the EEU about creating free trade zones. Israel has also expressed such interest. Talks are underway with other countries as well and, if we agree, such a free trade zone could be created,” Lavrov said at a news conference following his talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman in Moscow on Jan. 26, according to the web site of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
“It’s not only about what Russia wants. We are no longer the Customs Union, but the Eurasian Economic Union, which includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Armenia. Kyrgyzstan will join us in a couple of months,” Lavrov said.
The Israeli Foreign Minister emphasized that there is no talk about Israel’s accession to the EEU.
“We are negotiating creation of a free trade zone, not accession to the Eurasian Union,” Liberman said, adding that Israel has a similar free trade zone with the European Union.
Timur Zhaksylykov, deputy minister of economy of Kazakhstan, last week said that more than 30 countries are interested in the creation of a free trade zone with the EEU.
He said that talks on a free trade zone are currently underway with Vietnam, and the EEU member countries are currently engaged in talks with countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein, as well as with New Zealand, Turkey, India, Israel, and Egypt. Almost 10 countries of Latin America are also ready to start negotiations, Zhaksylykov claimed.
Of course, what ever suites their interests, unlike us where “brotherhood” and other similar nonsense takes precedence over national interests.
How would it work with Armenia if Turkey was a part of this?
has the question been asked how it would work in the EU if Armenia had equivocated and chosen to align herself in the EU, with Turkey next door ? We are closely allied with our brothers the Russians, and we are necessary to maintain stability in the Caucasus. The Europhiles and Russophobes better realize that Armenian political existence are incompatible with EU dogmas and credos. Fortunately these Trojan horses have no hope of success in their treacherous quest to morph Armenia into a turkish province. Has any smart enquirers ever posed the question what would be Armenia’s fate without the Russian presence in the Caucasus ? It is a very uncomfortable question . It is of supreme satisfaction we have an army, an army of the people, the army would have to develop its strength more and more. There is no time for luxuries as to hesitation to decide where we belong and /or are part of. We have a great future ahead of us in the EEUU with our Russian allies.
“Armenian political existence are incompatible with EU dogmas and credos.”
What sort of dogmas and credos are we talking about?
Does more aligned with Russia mean being pro corruption? Russia is more corrupt than Armenia.
The current administration in Armenia, which is very pro Russia, was working for an EU trade agreement for 3 years before doing a sudden about face and joining the EEU. There were also reports a few days ago about Armenia and EU still trying to come up with a new trade agreement.
Armenia was not about to join the EU. It was a trade agreement with the EU. Trade with EU and EEU is good with Armenia, instead of just one of them.
What are Armenian national interests ? To remain free, independent, and with a homeland , or become a departamental district of Turkey ? What are the solutions these professor Emeritus support and encourage for a land locked country surrounded by deadly enemies ? .
“To remain free, independent, ”
With Russia exerting so much influence over Armenia, it’s difficult to say how free and independent Armenia is right now.
Have you been to Armenia to find out whether or not you can enjoy your freedoms. I challenge you to articulate what freedoms are being lost. What freedoms can one enjoy in developed or western countries that one cannot in Armenia?