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RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR SOFTENED RHETORIC
Naira Hayrumyan
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/politics/view/27993
Politics - Thursday, 08 November 2012, 14:46
Ambassador of Russia to Armenia Vyacheslav Kovalenko gave a large
interview to the Regnum agency actually rebuking the Russian TV-host
Leontev of chauvinism stating that Armenia can make its geopolitical
course on its own because it is enough intellectual and willful to
restore statehood. At the same time, he stated that the Eurasian and
European integration are compatible. In Georgia, people finally woke
up, said the ambassador, expressing hope that Armenia will manage
to keep the balance between the "West and East" and not to offend
the partners.
This quite symbolic interview is the meaningful reaction to the
attempts of Armenia to diversify the foreign policy. Russia actually
"allows" Armenia to develop relations with Europe, calling to keep
the balance. At the same time, the ambassador said no word on the
position of the West and its determination and potential to "drag"
Armenia to itself.
The West has much potential. Several important statements have been
made recently. First NATO Special Representative for South Caucasus
James Appathurai stated that NATO is going to enhance its presence in
the South Caucasus and will propose a new "menu" to Armenia. Second,
the U.S. ambassador to Armenia John Heffern announced about the
widening of the Armenian-American economic ties. He said that he is
doing everything to attract American investments in Armenia. It is not
ruled out that these investments will be made in the energy sphere,
including nuclear.
Besides, the EPP Eastern Partnership summit will be held in Armenia at
the end of November. Chairman of the European People's Party Wilfred
Matens, Georgia's president Mikhail Saakashvili, prime minister of
Moldova Vlad Filat, Chairman of the European Commission Jose Manuel
Barroso will arrive in Armenia. Most likely, they will discuss the
issue on the donors' conference in Armenia, which is supposed to
collect billion Euros. In May 2013 Armenia will chair the European
Commission.
It is noteworthy that both European and Russian officials say that the
complementary policy of Armenia impresses them, and Armenia is not a
ground for inter-civilization struggle. But the more they talk about
it, the more obvious this struggle becomes. The West is clearly growing
strong in Armenia, and Russia, judging by the softened statements of
Ambassador Kovalenko, can't find how to resist. The nervous appeal
to history and how Russia saved Armenians had the opposite effect,
and now Moscow is looking for more "efficient" steps.
Today it was reported that Moscow and Yerevan are preparing an
agreement to combine air defense systems.
Naira Hayrumyan
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/politics/view/27993
Politics - Thursday, 08 November 2012, 14:46
Ambassador of Russia to Armenia Vyacheslav Kovalenko gave a large
interview to the Regnum agency actually rebuking the Russian TV-host
Leontev of chauvinism stating that Armenia can make its geopolitical
course on its own because it is enough intellectual and willful to
restore statehood. At the same time, he stated that the Eurasian and
European integration are compatible. In Georgia, people finally woke
up, said the ambassador, expressing hope that Armenia will manage
to keep the balance between the "West and East" and not to offend
the partners.
This quite symbolic interview is the meaningful reaction to the
attempts of Armenia to diversify the foreign policy. Russia actually
"allows" Armenia to develop relations with Europe, calling to keep
the balance. At the same time, the ambassador said no word on the
position of the West and its determination and potential to "drag"
Armenia to itself.
The West has much potential. Several important statements have been
made recently. First NATO Special Representative for South Caucasus
James Appathurai stated that NATO is going to enhance its presence in
the South Caucasus and will propose a new "menu" to Armenia. Second,
the U.S. ambassador to Armenia John Heffern announced about the
widening of the Armenian-American economic ties. He said that he is
doing everything to attract American investments in Armenia. It is not
ruled out that these investments will be made in the energy sphere,
including nuclear.
Besides, the EPP Eastern Partnership summit will be held in Armenia at
the end of November. Chairman of the European People's Party Wilfred
Matens, Georgia's president Mikhail Saakashvili, prime minister of
Moldova Vlad Filat, Chairman of the European Commission Jose Manuel
Barroso will arrive in Armenia. Most likely, they will discuss the
issue on the donors' conference in Armenia, which is supposed to
collect billion Euros. In May 2013 Armenia will chair the European
Commission.
It is noteworthy that both European and Russian officials say that the
complementary policy of Armenia impresses them, and Armenia is not a
ground for inter-civilization struggle. But the more they talk about
it, the more obvious this struggle becomes. The West is clearly growing
strong in Armenia, and Russia, judging by the softened statements of
Ambassador Kovalenko, can't find how to resist. The nervous appeal
to history and how Russia saved Armenians had the opposite effect,
and now Moscow is looking for more "efficient" steps.
Today it was reported that Moscow and Yerevan are preparing an
agreement to combine air defense systems.