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RUSSIA-ARMENIA: 20 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS AND "MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL COOPERATION"
By Naira Hayrumyan
ArmeniaNow
30.03.12 | 12:58
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will pay a visit to Armenia
on April 2-3 and then leave for Azerbaijan.
Although the visit is called a South Caucasus tour, it is clear
that Lavrov will not visit the third country of the South Caucasus
- Georgia. After the Russo-Georgian war in August 2008, these two
countries have no diplomatic relations. Earlier, Georgia had forced
Russia to withdraw its military bases stationed in the territory of
that country and now Tbilisi is seeking to become a NATO member.
Enlarge Photo Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov In this context,
experts believe that the purpose of the Lavrov tour dedicated to the
20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations with Armenia
and Azerbaijan is an attempt to reaffirm the fact that these two
South Caucasus countries are in the zone of Russia's influence.
The reasons for suspecting that, in particular, Armenia begins
to straighten up after a strong bias towards Russia is that its
parliamentary minority party, Heritage, joined its efforts with another
liberal party, Free Democrats, on a joint platform to contest the
May 2012 parliamentary election. This political alliance is known to
be against Armenia's decision two years ago to prolong the lease on
Russia's military base in the country till nearly the middle of the
century. Besides, these liberal forces believe that while Armenia
should try to build friendly relations with Russia, it still needs
to strive for Europe.
Pro-European orientation is felt even in the programs of the ruling
coalition parties, and Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan,
who paid a three-day visit to the United States last week, stated on
Thursday that Armenian-American military cooperation will be expanded
in the near future.
It is yet early to speak about Armenia having decided to review its
current relationship with Russia, but it is already obvious that the
taboo from this subject has been removed.
Remarkable in this regard is the statement by the Russian Foreign
Ministry issued before Lavrov's visit. The statement emphasizes that
"intensive contacts with Armenia make it possible to solve urgent
issues of cooperation and coordinate positions on key issues of
international politics on a pragmatic and mutually beneficial basis."
The Russian Foreign Ministry highly evaluates the work of Russian
companies in Armenia's economy. According to its data, they "fully
provide the internal demand of Armenia in natural gas and fresh nuclear
fuel, as well as a steady supply of industrial and social spheres
with electric power." In other words, the Russian Foreign Ministry
"hints" that Armenia completely depends on Russia both in terms of
international politics and for its energy security.
It is noteworthy that the same processes are now taking place in
Azerbaijan, which is increasingly leaning towards the construction of
the Trans-Caspian pipeline, through which, together with Turkmenistan,
it expects to transport natural gas to Europe, bypassing Russia.
Besides, Azerbaijan and Russia still cannot come to terms on the
Gabala radar station after Azerbaijan raised its rent from current
$7 million to $300 million a year.
In other words, the top Russian diplomat has something to talk about
in both South Caucasus republics.
By Naira Hayrumyan
ArmeniaNow
30.03.12 | 12:58
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will pay a visit to Armenia
on April 2-3 and then leave for Azerbaijan.
Although the visit is called a South Caucasus tour, it is clear
that Lavrov will not visit the third country of the South Caucasus
- Georgia. After the Russo-Georgian war in August 2008, these two
countries have no diplomatic relations. Earlier, Georgia had forced
Russia to withdraw its military bases stationed in the territory of
that country and now Tbilisi is seeking to become a NATO member.
Enlarge Photo Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov In this context,
experts believe that the purpose of the Lavrov tour dedicated to the
20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations with Armenia
and Azerbaijan is an attempt to reaffirm the fact that these two
South Caucasus countries are in the zone of Russia's influence.
The reasons for suspecting that, in particular, Armenia begins
to straighten up after a strong bias towards Russia is that its
parliamentary minority party, Heritage, joined its efforts with another
liberal party, Free Democrats, on a joint platform to contest the
May 2012 parliamentary election. This political alliance is known to
be against Armenia's decision two years ago to prolong the lease on
Russia's military base in the country till nearly the middle of the
century. Besides, these liberal forces believe that while Armenia
should try to build friendly relations with Russia, it still needs
to strive for Europe.
Pro-European orientation is felt even in the programs of the ruling
coalition parties, and Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan,
who paid a three-day visit to the United States last week, stated on
Thursday that Armenian-American military cooperation will be expanded
in the near future.
It is yet early to speak about Armenia having decided to review its
current relationship with Russia, but it is already obvious that the
taboo from this subject has been removed.
Remarkable in this regard is the statement by the Russian Foreign
Ministry issued before Lavrov's visit. The statement emphasizes that
"intensive contacts with Armenia make it possible to solve urgent
issues of cooperation and coordinate positions on key issues of
international politics on a pragmatic and mutually beneficial basis."
The Russian Foreign Ministry highly evaluates the work of Russian
companies in Armenia's economy. According to its data, they "fully
provide the internal demand of Armenia in natural gas and fresh nuclear
fuel, as well as a steady supply of industrial and social spheres
with electric power." In other words, the Russian Foreign Ministry
"hints" that Armenia completely depends on Russia both in terms of
international politics and for its energy security.
It is noteworthy that the same processes are now taking place in
Azerbaijan, which is increasingly leaning towards the construction of
the Trans-Caspian pipeline, through which, together with Turkmenistan,
it expects to transport natural gas to Europe, bypassing Russia.
Besides, Azerbaijan and Russia still cannot come to terms on the
Gabala radar station after Azerbaijan raised its rent from current
$7 million to $300 million a year.
In other words, the top Russian diplomat has something to talk about
in both South Caucasus republics.