YEREVAN. – More than 70 percent of Armenia’s Customs Union (CU) accession commitments already are fulfilled.  

President Serzh Sargsyan stated the aforementioned Saturday while addressing the Second Economic Forum—titled “Armenia-Customs Union: Opportunities and Challenges”—of the ruling Republican Party.  

“Economic integration broadens the development opportunities of countries. The realization of this fact is at the basis of our [i.e., Armenia] decision to become a member in the Customs Union.

“This forum takes place at an important phase in Armenia’s Customs Union accession process. Active cooperation enables us to achieve significant progress on this road.

“Owing to this constructive cooperation, more than 70 percent of Armenia’s pre-membership commitments already are fulfilled, and the rest are being fulfilled. 

“The next step is the signing of the international legal document, and our country’s direct participation in the international integration processes,” President Sargsyan specifically stated.

Following the talks that were held on September 3, 2013 in Moscow between Armenian and Russian Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin, Sargsyan had announced that Armenia plans to join the Customs Union and subsequently engage in the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union. In December 2013, the “road map” for Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union was adopted. And in January of this year, the Government of Armenia approved the action plan for the implementation of this “road map.” The formal joining is expected in May. Aside from Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan likewise are members in the Customs Union.