Pre-Parliament member, Karabakh War veteran JirairSefilian spoke with Hetq about the ongoing delays in Armenia's accession to the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as the arrest of prominent Moscow-based Armenian businessman LevonHayrapetyan. 

Armenia's accession to the Eurasian Economic Union was postponed again. Prime Minister HovikAbrahamyan recently announced that Armenia will become a full member of the EEU on January 1. In your opinion, why is Armenia's membership regularly delayed — do Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan not want Armenia to join the EEU? 

First, as I have repeatedly said and I will repeat it here, the EEU is a stillborn project — it will not become a reality. The words of any representative of the regime, including the aforementioned man, have no value. They have repeatedly proven this. Their ringleader doesn't consider it necessary to inform his gang about the orders received from his foreign owners, much less discuss them with them. On the other hand, it's obvious that the matter of Armenia's accession is delayed, which itself should be considered a positive circumstance. However, the reason for these delays, unfortunately, is not Armenia's sovereign position, since a sovereign Armenia doesn't exist for Russia today. 

In their view, Armenia's issue is resolved; that is, they succeeded in swallowing the Republic of Armenia and Artsakh. The main reason for the delay is the Azerbaijan factor. Russia seeks to persuade or oblige Azerbaijan to join the EEU and, in all likelihood, the Russian side has decided that Armenia's entry into the EEU must be together with Azerbaijan. Even if Azerbaijan doesn't officially announce about joining the EEU, only after a verbal promise from its leadership is received will Armenia enter this union. I think the delays in the process of Armenia joining the EEU will continue and one day we will hear that this project has vanished.

At the same time, we have to be very careful and vigilant, since though the EEU project is stillborn, Russia, nevertheless, draws us in the latest Russian-Turkish dalliance taking place in that process, so that it can trade with Turkey and Azerbaijan at our expense. Russia seeking to destabilize the region and introducing troops in Artsakh for this purpose is not ruled out. If there is such a development in the situation, we are obliged to thwart it in any way. 

That is, the issue is NagornoKarabakh? Do you agree with the view that EEU member states want to see Armenia in the EEU only under the condition of [having] a customs point at the Republic of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh Republic border?

As I already said, Artsakh is a geopolitical bargaining chip. In general, we have to think about not only EEU member states' wishes, but also our interests. And our interests tell us that in no case should we reconcile with becoming a geopolitical bargaining chip at the expense of Artsakh and our state — regardless of the conditions of this deal. Thus, we have to be aware of our interests and refuse all those processes that are connected to including us in any supranational union, including the EU or the EEU. 

The incident involving LevonHayrapetyan [who was charged with money laundering] has allowed for various interpretations. Many attribute Hayrapetyan's arrest to political motives. What is your opinion? 

LevonHayrapetyan is one of those rare rich Armenians of our time who used his ability and connections to serve his homeland. His contribution not only to the victory of Artsakh, but also to the task of restoring Artsakh after the ceasefire is great. In addition, he always used his connections with the highest-level political figures and leaders of leading states for a pro-Armenian solution to the Artsakh issue. I will abstain from expressing an unequivocal opinion on the motives for the criminal persecution against him. In any case, in the presence of a serious health condition, the use of detention as a measure of restraint speaks to persecution. It is noteworthy that taking this step is a so-called strategic ally, in whose life LevonHayrapetyan likewise is a remarkable person who made a huge contribution.