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ARMINFO News Agency
October 8, 2005
SHIFT TO NATO MILITARY STANDARDS WILL IMPEDE ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN
MILITARY PARTNERSHIP
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8. ARMINFO. "In the times of the USSR Russia had a
great contribution to the development of the Soviet republics, but
nowadays such expenses are unthrifty on Russia's part," said a deputy
of the Russian Parliament, Alexander Fomenko, on the NATO "Rose Roth"
seminar, Yerevan.
According to Mr. Fomenko, Russia holds no interest in investments in
South Caucasus. At present Russia indulges its Southern Caucasian
partners just for the sake of maintaining good relations. "If Russia
makes neither economic nor political use from assisting Southern
Caucasian countries, the expenses are senseless," said Mr. Fomenko
and noted that the situation in Armenia is much more pleasant for
Russia than the situation in other Southern Caucasian countries.
Now there is more Armenian, Georgian and Azeri business in Russia
than there is in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. There are many
Russian companies owned by rich Armenians, Georgians and Azeris. Why
should the Russian authorities invest its own money in the countries
if they can do this through rich Armenians, Azeris or Georgians in
Russia.
Russia should treat the countries individually. With Armenia Russia
should lean on the potential of its Armenian community which is today
even more influential than the Russian Jews. Using this potential
Armenia can attain prosperity, says Fomenko. Strategic partnership is
a complex and multi-vector thing. For example strategic partners
should have common military standards - this implying that neither
Russia nor Armenia should switch to NATO standards. Armenia's present
contacts with NATO give no ground for concern but this is just from
the first appearance, says Fomenko.
October 8, 2005
SHIFT TO NATO MILITARY STANDARDS WILL IMPEDE ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN
MILITARY PARTNERSHIP
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8. ARMINFO. "In the times of the USSR Russia had a
great contribution to the development of the Soviet republics, but
nowadays such expenses are unthrifty on Russia's part," said a deputy
of the Russian Parliament, Alexander Fomenko, on the NATO "Rose Roth"
seminar, Yerevan.
According to Mr. Fomenko, Russia holds no interest in investments in
South Caucasus. At present Russia indulges its Southern Caucasian
partners just for the sake of maintaining good relations. "If Russia
makes neither economic nor political use from assisting Southern
Caucasian countries, the expenses are senseless," said Mr. Fomenko
and noted that the situation in Armenia is much more pleasant for
Russia than the situation in other Southern Caucasian countries.
Now there is more Armenian, Georgian and Azeri business in Russia
than there is in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. There are many
Russian companies owned by rich Armenians, Georgians and Azeris. Why
should the Russian authorities invest its own money in the countries
if they can do this through rich Armenians, Azeris or Georgians in
Russia.
Russia should treat the countries individually. With Armenia Russia
should lean on the potential of its Armenian community which is today
even more influential than the Russian Jews. Using this potential
Armenia can attain prosperity, says Fomenko. Strategic partnership is
a complex and multi-vector thing. For example strategic partners
should have common military standards - this implying that neither
Russia nor Armenia should switch to NATO standards. Armenia's present
contacts with NATO give no ground for concern but this is just from
the first appearance, says Fomenko.