YEREVAN. – The Armenian authorities misled the people with their announcements on European integration, then, suddenly, on accession to the Customs Union (CU).   

Former MP and former political prisoner Azat Arshakyan stated the aforesaid at a press conference on Thursday. 
Arshakyan added that the authorities have changed the foreign policy course of the country, and without informing the body politic, which elected them.    

For his part, ruling Republican Party (RPA) MP Mkrtich Minasyan assured that there is no alternative to joining the Customs Union. 

In his words, Armenia’s CU accession will have a positive impact on Armenia’s economy.   

Minasyan added that RPA remains committed to European values, specifically, to human rights, democracy, and several other domains.     

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.” And the formal joining is expected in May. Aside from Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan likewise are members in the Customs Union.