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Russia Promotes People-to-People Contacts
Naira Hayrumyan
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/politics/view/28155
Politics - Saturday, 24 November 2012, 15:08
The Union of Armenians of Russia and the organization of Azerbaijanis
of Russia have adopted a joint declaration on quarterly cultural and
sports events living side by side in peace.
Apparently, Russia has assumed the task of people-to-people contacts
between Armenia and Azerbaijan which the Western foundations have been
doing for many years without success. The decision might be the result
of slowing down the settlement of the Karabakh conflict agreed by all
the sides and mediators.
The Western mediators have announced that all the efforts will be
directed at building confidence between the peoples. Most probably,
grants will be awarded and the Armenian and Azerbaijani NGOs will meet
somewhere in Georgia or the Aland Islands, speak to each other, make
sure that their positions cannot be brought closer and part. If it has
any result, it will be reflected in the current relations between the
Armenian and Azerbaijani people.
Perhaps Russia has chosen another way which will be equally futile. In
the beginning, Russia organized visits of Armenian and Azerbaijani
intellectuals to Karabakh and Baku. However, these visits were like
confidential actions which eventually deepened the lack of confidence.
Now Russia is promoting the relations between the Diasporas, perhaps
finding their influence on their respective governments high enough to
melt the ice.
This is not exactly so. The relations between the Diasporas may play a
big role in saving tens of peaceful Armenians and Azerbaijanis who are
killed in restaurants and schools in the result of meaningless ethnic
clashes. However, the Diasporas have no influence on their countries'
governments. All the more so that the policies of Armenia and
Azerbaijan are made not only by the governments but also geopolitical
projects.
So what should be done to break the ice between the two peoples and
set up contacts between them? Perhaps the best platform would be
economic cooperation.
The mediators also seem to be inclined for this, gradually leading to
communication between the sides. The first step has been taken.
Georgia has proposed opening the Abkhazian railway. Experts say it
will be followed by the operation of the railway running across
Nakhidjevan. Economic and other use from these projects will be
invaluable.
The Armenian and Azerbaijani communities of Russia might be trying to
incline their governments to this approach. Time will show whether the
countries and mediators will come to terms. Now it is necessary to
break the ice but not in prejudice of vital interests.
Naira Hayrumyan
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/politics/view/28155
Politics - Saturday, 24 November 2012, 15:08
The Union of Armenians of Russia and the organization of Azerbaijanis
of Russia have adopted a joint declaration on quarterly cultural and
sports events living side by side in peace.
Apparently, Russia has assumed the task of people-to-people contacts
between Armenia and Azerbaijan which the Western foundations have been
doing for many years without success. The decision might be the result
of slowing down the settlement of the Karabakh conflict agreed by all
the sides and mediators.
The Western mediators have announced that all the efforts will be
directed at building confidence between the peoples. Most probably,
grants will be awarded and the Armenian and Azerbaijani NGOs will meet
somewhere in Georgia or the Aland Islands, speak to each other, make
sure that their positions cannot be brought closer and part. If it has
any result, it will be reflected in the current relations between the
Armenian and Azerbaijani people.
Perhaps Russia has chosen another way which will be equally futile. In
the beginning, Russia organized visits of Armenian and Azerbaijani
intellectuals to Karabakh and Baku. However, these visits were like
confidential actions which eventually deepened the lack of confidence.
Now Russia is promoting the relations between the Diasporas, perhaps
finding their influence on their respective governments high enough to
melt the ice.
This is not exactly so. The relations between the Diasporas may play a
big role in saving tens of peaceful Armenians and Azerbaijanis who are
killed in restaurants and schools in the result of meaningless ethnic
clashes. However, the Diasporas have no influence on their countries'
governments. All the more so that the policies of Armenia and
Azerbaijan are made not only by the governments but also geopolitical
projects.
So what should be done to break the ice between the two peoples and
set up contacts between them? Perhaps the best platform would be
economic cooperation.
The mediators also seem to be inclined for this, gradually leading to
communication between the sides. The first step has been taken.
Georgia has proposed opening the Abkhazian railway. Experts say it
will be followed by the operation of the railway running across
Nakhidjevan. Economic and other use from these projects will be
invaluable.
The Armenian and Azerbaijani communities of Russia might be trying to
incline their governments to this approach. Time will show whether the
countries and mediators will come to terms. Now it is necessary to
break the ice but not in prejudice of vital interests.