Eurasian Union economic alliance, not USSR reincarnation: EEC board chairNovember 7, 2013 - 20:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Eurasian Union is an economic alliance, rather than the USSR reincarnation, the board chair of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) said. As Viktor Khristenko stated during a meeting with the Yerevan State University (YSU) students, "Eurasian Union is planned as an economic alliance, without any political implications. Other organizations, like CSTO, serve this purpose, being engaged in military and political integration." Khristenko went on to refute suggestions that a Customs Union membership might lead to loss of sovereignty. As he noted, current CU members - Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan – have different economic potentials. Russia has 87% of the total potential; however, the CU-related decisions are made at the Council level, through a consensus. Decisions at the Eurasian Economic Commission are passed with the 2/3 of votes, Novosti-Armenia quoted him as saying. Earlier President Serzh Sarsgsyan met Khristenko to discussed Armenia-EEC cooperation. The parties focus on a memorandum of cooperation inked on November 6, expressing confidence that the document will contribute to strengthening of Armenia-EEC ties. As they further stressed, extensive work is to be accomplished following Armenia's decision to join the Customs Union, with close cooperation between the parties necessary. A memorandum on deepening cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) and the Republic of Armenia was signed in Yerevan on Wednesday, November 6. The document to serve as a basis for Armenia’s joining the Customs Union was signed by EEC chairman Viktor Khristenko and Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan. Related links: Top stories President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. Partner news | Lemkin Institute urges Armenia to respect people’s right to dissent The Lemkin Institute has urged the Armenian government to respect people’s fundamental human right to express their dissent. Iran’s Red Crescent sends aid to Armenia’s flood-hit regions The Iranian Red Crescent Society has sent humanitarian aid to the victims of deadly floods that hit northern Armenia on May 25-26. Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. |