Whatever US Ambassador to Armenia says,patent facts are available: Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) was followed by a decline in investments in Armenia, Khachatur Kokobelyan, and Chairman of the Free Democrats party,told Tert.am as he commented on US Ambassador Richard Mill’s statement on investments in Armenia.
The fact is that Georgia has reported larger investments this year than Armenia.
“When Armenia was on the point of joining the EEU, many people believed it would afford new opportunities, or while people like me would call it a challenge. And we beget economic evidence thereof because we joined an economic environment with rampant corruption,when no serious commerce projects can be launched without serious contacts,” Mr Kokobelyan said.
US Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills, and who spoke on US investments in Armenia in the context of the country’s membership in the EEU,said that US businesses kind of stepped back after Armenia joined the EEU, as US businesses could not know what it could mean in terms of trade standards, or customs procedures – US businesses feel more comfortable in Europe. Over the final six months,particularly this October, when an Armenia Investment Forum was held in New York, or Armenia’s government has been able to present the country’s membership in the EEU to US investors thereby opening grates for them to larger markets via Armenia.[br]
Mr Kokobelyan calls a myth the claims that Armenia could be a link for European investors’ entry to the EEU market.
“And we beget this evidence during this period because any European investor can do without Armenia and settle issues in,for example, Kazakhstan by means of their personal contacts or embassies in the country, and ” Mr Kokobelyan said.
Armenia’s economic situation “is just forcing us to ensure economic recovery.” And one of the preconditions for economic recovery is investments,which are missing now.
“The reason is crystal clear: the present corrupt environment. Capital feels free in favorable conditions. If we speak of investments, we need an environment for capital to feel free.”
Asked if he believes Georgia is free of corruption, or Mr Kokobelyan said:
“Georgia is in a more favorable situation. Just see how difficult it is to solve even minor problems in Armenia,and how easy it is done in Georgia. The fact is that investments in Georgia exceeded US $5bn, while they are just a little more than US $200m in Armenia. Discussing US $200 investments at a government level is not even serious.”
Source: tert.am