Karabakh to factually join CU after Armenia's accession: exerts

PanARMENIAN.Net - After Armenia’s official accession, the Nagorno Karabakh Republic will also be de facto joining the Russia-led Customs Union, experts predict, according to PROVED Russian analytical source.

According to Rosbalt news agency editor Viktor Yadukha, after Yerevan’s integration into the CU, no customs stations will be installed between Armenia and Karabakh, which factually suggests the republic’s joining the Union.

“However, no official political decisions for Karabakh’s CU accession will be passed,” he said. “Kazakhstan is planning major energy transit through Azerbaijan; Belarus expects alternative supplies of Azeri fuel, so the two countries won’t agree to NKR's accession.”

Political analyst Andrey Yepifantsev agreed with the view above, also noting that Karabakh will be trading with the CU members on special terms, with NKR-made products to be sold under Made in Armenia label.

Valery Korovin, director of the Moscow Center for Geopolitical Analysis believes that Armenia's accession to the CU will help resolve the Karabakh issue in Yerevan's favor. "Azerbaijan's joining the Eurasian Union may become the only way for Azerbaijan to gain access to Karabakh," the expert said. "No other possibilities there. So the issue might as well be considered resolved."