Serzh Sargsyan: Armenia faces problem of ensuring uninterrupted  connection with EEU member states           

ArmInfo.I am convinced that the Eurasian Economic Union has a promising future, which in turn will contribute to development of the economies of its member states, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan stated at the Session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council held in Saint Petersburg. 

At the same time the President expressed hope that with combined  efforts it will be possible not only to overcome existing  financial-economic difficulties but also strengthen the Union and  raise its international image. According to Sargsyan the meeting is a  good opportunity to sum up the results of the two-year work of the  Union and to voice the achievements. According to the President due  attention should be paid to problematic issues as well, which hinder  full operation of the organization and it would be better that all  the members participated in the discussion (Belarusian President did  not attend the session-ed. note). 

The Armenian President positively assessed reduction of decline rates  of mutual trade, positive dynamics on industrial and agricultural  production and adoption of a number of decisions on the market of  medicine and healthcare products, as well as progress made in  development of concepts for forming common markets of gas, petroleum  and petroleum products. 

At the same time Sargsyan is convinced that the Union's potential in  terms of responding to social-economic challenges is not fulfilled  fully and as a result business and citizens' expectations from the  integration project remain open. In our view the Union should develop  in two key directions: the first is overcoming the remaining  obstacles for full liberalization of "four freedoms" and development  of integration within the Union. The second is more efficient  integration of national economies of the Union and the Union in  overall into global trade system.  Both directions are mutually  supportive. Obviously, without establishing an efficient cooperation  within the union international positioning of he Union will become  more difficult", Sargsyan stated.  

"I would like to especially mention the importance of conducting  coordinated transport policy.  Armenia faces a problem of ensuring  uninterrupted connection with the EEU member states. In conditions of  absence of a common border with the EEU countries our trade economic  ties are ensured via Georgia's territory through Upper Lars border  checkpoint. However, unfortunately the border checkpoint does not  function properly due to climate conditions and bureaucratic  procedures and this harms our businesses seriously. In this light we  attach importance to establishing a separate traffic for vehicles  from the EEU countries, which will significantly ease the  transportation. I would also like to mention that priority should be  given to those plans of transport corridors, which lie through the  EEU. The routes should contribute to the EEU's involvement in the  regional and international infrastructure corridors and cooperation  projects", the Armenian President mentioned. 

Sargsyan also stated with pleasure that international interest  towards EEU is growing and throughout the year issues of cooperation  with China, Iran, India Singapore and other countries were  intensively discussed.