Karine Minasyan: Armenia to make contribution to integration project development

A roundtable called “The Development of Cooperation with Armenia within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) – Prospects and Peculiarities” was held on March 3 in Moscow, during which Ms. Karine Minasyan, a minister, member of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), spoke about the special terms of Armenia’s entry into EEU and the new opportunities. 

The event was attended by representatives of state bodies of Armenia and Russia, scientific organizations and business communities of the EEU member states, according to the press service of EEC.

According to Karine Minasyan, the Agreement on the EEU has special conditions and privileges for Armenia during the transition period. For example, for 5 years after the Agreement’s entry into force, cars for personal use may be imported into Armenia on the previous terms. There is also a list of tariff preferences and exceptions from the Uniform Customs Tariff of the EEU, that is, a list of goods that shall be imported into Armenia at higher or lower tariffs for a particular number of years.

“Favorable customs duties have been kept for the imports of means of transport, foods, pharmaceutical and oil products and fertilizers,” the minister explained, adding that imported military products, as well as civil planes and helicopters are exempted from customs duties.

Speaking about technical regulation, K. Minasyan  said that a standard will be applied for a year, giving the right to Armenian businessmen to work either under laws of the EEU or national legislation. 

As regards intellectual property, Armenia is switching from the international principle to a regional principle, with the right being exhausted in 3 years after the Agreement’s entry into force.

“As a whole, the bureaucratic obstacles facing businessmen conducting trade with Armenian partners have been removed, which will promote mutual trade,” Karine Minasyan noted.

According to her, the conditions of migrant workers from Armenia have also improved. Armenian citizens are allowed to work in the territory of the EEU without any restrictions, under a labor contract. They may also stay in an EEU member country for 30 days without registration.