Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia, Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan and Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus signed an agreement on May 29, 2014 in Astana on the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union, which has for long been the subject to discussions. The agreement envisages the free traffic of goods, services, capital and workforce within territories of all three states. Addressing the plenary meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, Armenian President Serj Sarkisyan declared Armenia intends to join the Eurasian Economic Union on June 15. Though Russia states the Eurasian Economic Union has been created only for economic integration, according to many commentators this project is an effort of the Kremlin to restore its domination in the post-Soviet area. Because this union is based not on economy but upon the political ambitions of Moscow. Concerning this, senior analyst of the EU Institute for Security Studies Nicu Popescu said: “It is quite clear, this is a political project. Economy is very foggy here. Russia finds itself one of the global political and geopolitical poles and its looking for allies in the post-Soviet area is not related to economy only. Of course, Russia wants to have an economic influence on these countries, but after it happens, Russia’s strategic and political efforts will leave this union’s economic aspects in the shade.”

Deputy Head of the Azerbaijani President’s Administration, Chief of the International Relations Department of the Administration Novruz Mammadov said Azerbaijan is not going to join the Eurasian Economic Union: “For now we do not think of it. The only point we are interested here is membership of Armenia in the Union.” However, our republic is always open to integration processes. But there are serious obstacles for Azerbaijan’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and it is directly linked to Russia and its ally Armenia. If Azerbaijan becomes member of the Union, it must establish very serious economic cooperation with other member states, as stated in the agreement. But at the moment, Azerbaijan, which is in the state of war, has frozen all its relations with Armenia because of its aggressive policy and eliminated it from the regional projects. The letter the head of state addressed to the founders of the Union once more demonstrated the decisive position of Azerbaijan. The letter read out by the Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev was a kind of recommendation to Armenia. He said Armenia can become a member only within the borders accepted by the UN. This suggestion was approved by Putin and Lukashenko too and it means admission of Armenia to the Union is possible without Karabakh only. Commentator for radio station "Ekho Moskvy” Arcady Dubnov said while host of the Astana summit Nursultan Nazarbayev was speaking about the Azerbaijani President’s letter and the term mentioned there Armenian President Serj Sarkisyan’s face got distorted and it was pretty clear that it was not the happiest moments in his life.

At last, Armenia, which has been pursuing an occupant policy for years and demonstrating a nonconstructive position, needs to understand this position is of no use. On the contrary, Armenia, economy of which is paralyzed, remains beyond regional projects, economically fruitful offers.  

Naila Mammadova, 
"Azerbaijan Realities".