Russia's Ambassador to Armenia Ivan Volynkin thinks that Armenia's EEU membership has brought big dividends to the country. In an interview with RFE/RL Armenian service, Ambassador Volynkin says that the criticism against the EEU is absolutely groundless.
The diplomat says that the positive results of the EEU membership are obvious. He points out the increase in the Armenian-Russian commodity turnover and the removal of customs and other restrictions. "Despite the complicated global economic problems, the two countries have a commodity turnover," he says, adding that last year the exports of Armenian agriculture products experienced tangible growth. "Armenia is not so big to occupy all the niches on the Russian market, but the growth is obvious in the commodity terms," he says. Not all the mechanisms in the EEU are completely regulated. "Time is needed for that", he says, noting that other economic associations were established within decades. "Our organization is only 1.5 years old," he said.
When asked about the long queue on the Russian-Georgian border, the ambassador notes that a separate line will b provided for the Armenian transport operators.
When commenting on the prospects for rehabilitation of the Abkhaz railway section, the Russian diplomat said, "I think there are some prospects but it is a matter of time". He says that all the parties are interested in it.
As regards the results of the trilateral meeting of the Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani presidents in St. Petersburg, Ivan Volynkin said, "Segrey Lavrov has given all comments on the meeting".