BSEC may become an integration bridge between EU and CU

The Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) may become an integration bridge between the European Union and the Customs Union, Arsen Ghazarian, Chairman of the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen (Employers) of Armenia, told journalists today.

According to him, some of the BSEC countries are EU members, while others are either members of the Customs Union or on the path of joining the EU or the CU.

The union chairman made that statement at the 47th siting of the BSEC Business Council’s Board held in Yerevan today.

Arsen Ghazarian declared that Armenia will not sever ties with EU markets after it joins the Customs Union - quite the opposite, it will encourage European investments in Armenia. “We will become a buffer platform that will facilitate the integration of these two markets,” he stressed.

At the meeting, Armenia proposed creating a tourism alliance. Besides, the participants discussed the lifting of economic restrictions within the BSEC framework. In particular, the matter concerns Turkey and Azerbaijan.