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NALBANDYAN WON'T BE LAVROV'S DEPUTY
Haik Aramyan
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/27966
Tuesday, 06 November 2012, 11:53
The activities of the foreign minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan
arouse controversial opinions. On the one hand, he leaves on too
many business trips, and unlike the former foreign ministers,
participated in international forums. On the other hand, dangerous
political initiatives were made during his tenure, in particular,
the Armenian-Turkish protocols, the Russian bases, Medvedev's efforts
to return Karabakh to Azerbaijan, the Budapest case etc.
However, all the above mentioned initiatives failed not due to
Armenia's efforts but other favorable international political
circumstances.
In general, many note that the current stage of international policies
is quite beneficial for Armenia, while the Armenian government,
particularly the ministry of foreign affairs, is not consistent with
it. The reasons are different. Ineffective public administration, an
imperfect domestic policy, the anti-state nature of the oligarchic
system and other reasons have brought about the country's foreign
dependence. It is difficult to conduct an independent policy stemming
from the interests of the country.
On the other hand, Russia's policy to foil Armenia's foreign political
initiatives and ignore the Armenian interests is evident.
In particular, Moscow is hindering the process of international
recognition of Karabakh and Armenia's attempts to integrate with
Western organizations, limiting Armenia's sovereignty with the
agreement on the deployment of its bases.
Russia's circumstance is very important for Nalbandyan. The issue
is that he is considered to be on the Russian "orbit", he got a
higher education and acquired diplomatic competences in Moscow and
worked in Russian diplomatic representations. When he was appointed
as foreign minister of Armenia, many people said the geopolitical
balance was changed.
The issue is that there seems to be an unwritten agreement that
the Armenian army is under the influence of Russia, and the foreign
policy is under the Western influence. Nalbandyan's predecessors,
Raffi Hovannisian, Zhirayr Liparityan (though he was not the foreign
minister, he played an important role in the foreign policy of
Armenia), Alik Arzumanyan, Vartan Oskanian are considered pro-Western
figures. This "rule" was violated after Nalbandyan's appointment
and the role and influence of Russia on the Armenian foreign policy
increased regarding the key issues of vital interest to Armenia.
Anyway, interesting transformations have happened. For instance, the
Armenian army which has been traditionally considered to be under the
Russian influence is having closer ties with Western structures now, in
particular NATO. Apparently, the tough steps of Russia for expansion,
specifically deployment of its bases, supply of weapon to Azerbaijan,
make the authorities review some privileges not only at the level of
public opinion but also actions by the political leadership.
As to foreign policy, Nalbandyan has a lot to think about. Although
he belongs to the Russian diplomatic school, he has faced a serious
psychological or "orientation" issue. The point is that he knows
better Moscow's steps in regard to Armenia, for example, Medvedev's
mediation for Karabakh when Armenia was forced to sign the resolution
on surrendering Karabakh and the Budapest case facilitated by Moscow.
And many other events will surely make Nalbandyan review his
approaches.
Armenia has been able to avoid the consequences of Moscow's initiatives
only thanks to the favorable foreign situation. But this cannot always
be helpful. It is necessary to carry out a bold foreign policy. During
the Soviet years, the member republics had foreign ministers who were
the deputies of the Russian foreign minister.
Nalbandyan will hardly wish to become Lavrov's deputy.
Haik Aramyan
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/27966
Tuesday, 06 November 2012, 11:53
The activities of the foreign minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan
arouse controversial opinions. On the one hand, he leaves on too
many business trips, and unlike the former foreign ministers,
participated in international forums. On the other hand, dangerous
political initiatives were made during his tenure, in particular,
the Armenian-Turkish protocols, the Russian bases, Medvedev's efforts
to return Karabakh to Azerbaijan, the Budapest case etc.
However, all the above mentioned initiatives failed not due to
Armenia's efforts but other favorable international political
circumstances.
In general, many note that the current stage of international policies
is quite beneficial for Armenia, while the Armenian government,
particularly the ministry of foreign affairs, is not consistent with
it. The reasons are different. Ineffective public administration, an
imperfect domestic policy, the anti-state nature of the oligarchic
system and other reasons have brought about the country's foreign
dependence. It is difficult to conduct an independent policy stemming
from the interests of the country.
On the other hand, Russia's policy to foil Armenia's foreign political
initiatives and ignore the Armenian interests is evident.
In particular, Moscow is hindering the process of international
recognition of Karabakh and Armenia's attempts to integrate with
Western organizations, limiting Armenia's sovereignty with the
agreement on the deployment of its bases.
Russia's circumstance is very important for Nalbandyan. The issue
is that he is considered to be on the Russian "orbit", he got a
higher education and acquired diplomatic competences in Moscow and
worked in Russian diplomatic representations. When he was appointed
as foreign minister of Armenia, many people said the geopolitical
balance was changed.
The issue is that there seems to be an unwritten agreement that
the Armenian army is under the influence of Russia, and the foreign
policy is under the Western influence. Nalbandyan's predecessors,
Raffi Hovannisian, Zhirayr Liparityan (though he was not the foreign
minister, he played an important role in the foreign policy of
Armenia), Alik Arzumanyan, Vartan Oskanian are considered pro-Western
figures. This "rule" was violated after Nalbandyan's appointment
and the role and influence of Russia on the Armenian foreign policy
increased regarding the key issues of vital interest to Armenia.
Anyway, interesting transformations have happened. For instance, the
Armenian army which has been traditionally considered to be under the
Russian influence is having closer ties with Western structures now, in
particular NATO. Apparently, the tough steps of Russia for expansion,
specifically deployment of its bases, supply of weapon to Azerbaijan,
make the authorities review some privileges not only at the level of
public opinion but also actions by the political leadership.
As to foreign policy, Nalbandyan has a lot to think about. Although
he belongs to the Russian diplomatic school, he has faced a serious
psychological or "orientation" issue. The point is that he knows
better Moscow's steps in regard to Armenia, for example, Medvedev's
mediation for Karabakh when Armenia was forced to sign the resolution
on surrendering Karabakh and the Budapest case facilitated by Moscow.
And many other events will surely make Nalbandyan review his
approaches.
Armenia has been able to avoid the consequences of Moscow's initiatives
only thanks to the favorable foreign situation. But this cannot always
be helpful. It is necessary to carry out a bold foreign policy. During
the Soviet years, the member republics had foreign ministers who were
the deputies of the Russian foreign minister.
Nalbandyan will hardly wish to become Lavrov's deputy.