news.am, Armenia
Jan 4 2012
South Caucasus registered no significant changes in geopolitical
situation in 2011-expert
January 04, 2012 | 14:21
YEREVAN. - There were no significant changes in the geopolitical
situation of the region in 2011, head of the Armenian branch of the
Institute of CIS Countries, political scientist Alexander Markarov
told the Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent.
`All those issues which were on the political and international agenda
remain topical,' the expert said.
Markarov pointed out some essential elements which refer to the
establishment of Nagorno-Karabakh independence. These are the 20th
anniversary of the independence and holding the elections, which
proved that Karabakh is institutionalized.
`We can also mark elements connected to intensification of the EU
policy on South Caucasus states within the format of the Eastern
Partnership. More widely, psychological, informational and diplomatic
pressure is preserved on Iran. It is yet unclear how this pressure
will influence future development of the region. As for Armenia, it
still preserves its positive relations with Georgia,' Markarov said.
Regarding the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations, the
expert said it is difficult to predict definite progress in the
future.
In response to a remark whether the Kremlin will try to strengthen its
positions in the Caucasus with the domestic political situation in
Russia, Markarov said that Russia currently has to legitimate what is
going on after the parliamentary elections. The main problem for
Russia is to continue the political process and to transfer it to a
more constructive field.
As for Russia's role in the region, it remains the main actor in the
South Caucasus, he concluded.
Jan 4 2012
South Caucasus registered no significant changes in geopolitical
situation in 2011-expert
January 04, 2012 | 14:21
YEREVAN. - There were no significant changes in the geopolitical
situation of the region in 2011, head of the Armenian branch of the
Institute of CIS Countries, political scientist Alexander Markarov
told the Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent.
`All those issues which were on the political and international agenda
remain topical,' the expert said.
Markarov pointed out some essential elements which refer to the
establishment of Nagorno-Karabakh independence. These are the 20th
anniversary of the independence and holding the elections, which
proved that Karabakh is institutionalized.
`We can also mark elements connected to intensification of the EU
policy on South Caucasus states within the format of the Eastern
Partnership. More widely, psychological, informational and diplomatic
pressure is preserved on Iran. It is yet unclear how this pressure
will influence future development of the region. As for Armenia, it
still preserves its positive relations with Georgia,' Markarov said.
Regarding the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations, the
expert said it is difficult to predict definite progress in the
future.
In response to a remark whether the Kremlin will try to strengthen its
positions in the Caucasus with the domestic political situation in
Russia, Markarov said that Russia currently has to legitimate what is
going on after the parliamentary elections. The main problem for
Russia is to continue the political process and to transfer it to a
more constructive field.
As for Russia's role in the region, it remains the main actor in the
South Caucasus, he concluded.