YEREVAN. – Mutual economic ties between Armenia and Georgia are built “with certain fear”, economist Tatul Manasaryan said.

Georgia's direction towards the European Union and Armenia's towards the Customs Union may threaten free trade between the states.

Chairman of the Union of Employers of Armenia Gagik Makaryan, for his part, noted that in fact Armenia is importing 99, 9% of the goods from Turkey.

“The data on Georgia is delusive, many of the goods that are imported from Georgia, in fact, are made ​​in Turkey. Consequently, it is difficult to determine what percentage of the goods brought from Georgia are really Georgia-made products,” he said. 

The economist believes that Georgia's economy is not very developed, despite the reforms. Thee have been no major economic changes, and the only developing area is tourism.

However, Georgia will maintain positive economic relations with Armenia, Makaryan said, adding that it is in the interests of the EU, which will continue its soft policy towards Armenia.