Gagik Makarian: Armenia must develop its economy

At the meeting with reporters today, Chairman of the Republican Union of Employers Gagik Makarian discussed the Association Agreement with the EU and the problem of its initialing by Armenia.

He reminded those present that under the Generalized System of Preferences – GSP+, approximately 6,400 goods may be exported to European countries on easy terms, with low customs duties being set. “The GSP+ regime was introduced for Armenia for a three-year period in January 2009, but almost nothing has changed since then. We have not recorded success,” Makarian noted.

According to him, a large market would open for Europe under Eastern Partnership Program, while Europe is currently facing the problem of selling its goods. “Be it the Customs Union or the EU, Armenia must develop its economy,” Makarian underlined.

As to the European Commission’s suspension of Twinning Program activities in Armenia, Makarian said Europe wouldn’t be indifferent to Armenia’s statement because “the decision about entry into the Customs Union was unexpected not only to many of us, but also to Europe”.

The economist at the same time expressed an opinion that the Association Agreement with the European Union will be initialed during the Eastern Partnership summit to be held in Vilnius in November.