Former Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian to Head Eurasian Economic Commission

YEREVAN ( ARKA) — Armenia’s former prime minister Tigran Sargsian will replace Viktor Khristenko as chairman of the Eurasian Economic Commission, the executive body of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), from 1 February 2016, Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko announced at a meeting of presidents of EEU member states in Kazakhstan today.

Sargsian served as Armenia’s prime minister until April 2014 and was considered a strong supporter of Armenia’s European integration. He repeatedly spoke on this topic, including in the Russian media. In a 2012 article for the Russian daily “Vedomosti” he defended the advantages of European integration. However, in September 2013, president Serzh Sarkisian chose the Eurasian integration.

After resignation Tigran Sargsian was appointed as Armenian ambassador to the United States.

At a news briefing today in Kazakhstan Viktor Khristenko described Tigran Sargsian as a locomotive of Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union dedicating much time to the Eurasian integration.

Khristenko told the news briefing that EEU presidents decided also to reduce from three to two the number of representatives from EEU members to its Commission Board that will consist of 10 ministers.