YEREVAN. – In response to the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office questionnaire sent to the Armeian National Assembly (NA)—and concerning the Customs Union—the office received seven more feedback between October 1 and 5.  

This week two MPs from the ruling Republican Faction, three MPs from the non-pro-government Prosperous Armenia Faction, and two MPs from the coalition government’s junior partner, Orinats Yerkir (Rule of Law) Faction have responded to the questionnaire. 

Six of the MPs were clearly in favor of Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union, and solely Republican Faction MP—and NA former Speaker—Samvel Nikoyan preferred the Armenia-EU Association Agreement; but he considers President Serzh Sargsyan’s decision to be defining. 

Earlier, the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office had received more feedback from the MPs. Sixteen of these deputies favored accession to the Customs Union, whereas four others were against this decision.       

Two MPs refrained from answering the questionnaire, whereas two others gave vague answers.  

The Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office had sent the questionnaires to all 131 members of the National Assembly of Armenia.

To note, following the talks that were held on September 3 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. Aside from Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan likewise are members in the Customs Union.