What will we export to the EU: Kocharyan on the non-alternative nature of the EAEU market for Armenia

In order for the EU market to become an alternative to the EAEU, the Armenian government must have clear agreements regarding export volumes, former President Robert Kocharyan said, commenting on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's statement that the Akhalkalaki-Kars railway could be used for exporting goods to Europe.

"And what do you have to export to Europe? In this case, the government should say the following: people, seeing these difficulties, we have agreed with the EU that all our agricultural products will be exported to the EU. Are they talking about this? No. Currently, 98% of agricultural products are exported to Russia, and 90% of alcohol," Kocharyan said.

As for exports specifically via Akhalkalaki-Kars, which Pashinyan had previously mentioned, the authorities, according to Kocharyan, present this as a major achievement. But from the Armenian border to Kars it is only 150 km, while via Akhalkalaki it is an additional 600-700 km.

"How long have they been talking about opening the Armenia-Turkey railway? What happened with the opening, why via Akhalkalaki?" Kocharyan noted.

He advocates for opening direct railway communication with Turkey, but there are risks here as well. It is necessary to first protect Armenian agriculture from cheap Turkish products, the former president emphasized.

Source: Sputnik Armenia