Real Customs Control Should Be Implemented on TRIPP Route: Farmanyan

The economist Haik Farmanyan, nominated by the "Strong Armenia" faction for the chair of the Financial and Budgetary Committee of the National Assembly, has expressed concern regarding customs control on the transit route proposed within the TRIPP framework.

"I see an issue with the transit route of TRIPP. I don’t even want to use the word 'corridor'; God forbid that it develops in that way, let it just be a transit route. Will our customs officials implement real control on this road, or will there just be visual presence?" Farmanyan stated.

According to him, it would be appropriate for full customs control to operate on the road, treating it as a regular transit route. "In that case, I don't see a problem. We need to develop. Going backwards every time, starting from scratch each time, won't lead to anything good," he added.

Commenting on the import of gasoline from Azerbaijan to Armenia, Farmanyan underscored the importance of the principle of reciprocity. "Trade, in general, and international business relations imply the principle of reciprocity. When we conduct one-sided trade, it is simply one-sided trade," he said.

Farmanyan stated that if, for example, goods were transported directly from Azerbaijan to Armenia via a railway route from Kazakhstan, he would welcome it if the principle of reciprocity is ensured. He also noted that when gasoline is imported from Azerbaijan to Armenia via Georgia without the export of Armenian goods, he does not consider this a full-fledged economic relationship stemming from the peace agenda.