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`Russia is a very dangerous ally.'
(http://en.aravot.am/2013/07/05/155246/)
22:24 | July 5 2013
So thinks David Shahnazaryan
- Russia raised the price for gas, then we learned that the Government
of Armenia is negotiating with `Gazprom' regarding selling of 20% of
the share owned by Armenia in `ArmRusGasArd'. What is going on in
Armenian-Russian economic relations?
- Gas price increase, of course, was predictable, but it was obvious
that it's just a political pressure of Russian to Armenia. The issue
of yielding 20 percent of share owned by Armenia in `ArmRusGasArd' to
Gazprom, in my opinion, is an unacceptable deal, it provides a small,
but important part of ownership and sovereignty to RF. I would call on
the NA factions and the Deputies not to organize hearings or
discussions with the press, but to come up with the initiative holding
an extraordinary session of the National Assembly, to submit a project
on 20% share owned by Armenia in `ArmRusGazard', which will expressly
prohibit by the law the potential of the share to transfer to RF or
any other country. This problem once again proved the indisputable
fact that we have a serious problem of energy security.
I would like to point out that, in compliance with latter-day
standards and requirements of the free market, in the sector of
energy, the gas supplier and the gas distribution implementer can not
be the same company, while in the case of Armenia it is the `Gazprom',
which performs these two functions from the position of monopoly, to
the point, almost the same situation is in the energy sector. The
hostage situation of energy in Armenia prevents the efficiency of the
economy, affects the living standards of citizens, and endangers our
country's development prospects. It is necessary to take steps aimed
at strengthening of energy security, and diversification of our energy
system.
The small diameter of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, years ago, during the
period of Kocharyan was handed over to RF. I think that this is now a
strategic issue, and the government should promptly take steps in
getting a new large diameter gas pipeline from Iran, which will have
all the capabilities to become a transit, especially under the
conditions when, after the presidential election in Iran, new and more
favorable situation seemed to be created for the implementation of
such a project.
- What is your opinion of selling weapons of $ 1 billion to Azerbaijan
by RF and persistently circulated information about the fact that
Iskander-M complexes were brought to Armenia from RF?
- The fact of selling weapon worth $ 1 billion to Azerbaijan is
directly related to our national security. Pay attention to the fact
that the matter is purely about the offensive arms, and as a number of
international military experts correctly assess, in the result of this
transaction the military balance between Armenia and Azerbaijan is
violated. It's amazing both the indifferent response of the
authorities (although I'm sure they are seriously concerned), as well
as the fact that the parties of
Armenia did not react to the fact, with the exception of `Free
Democrats' and `Heritage' parties. The explanations and assurances of
RF high-rank officials cannot be any way considered satisfactory that
it is a purely economic transaction. In the case, Armenia, in its
relations with RF, should pursue by its economy and not only economic
interests. The explanations of RF high-rank officials that selling
weapons to Azerbaijan is an `economic interest', `purely business' is
not serious, even I would like to remind you about the well-known
justification of anti-heroes Mario Puzo: `Nothing personal, just a
business...'
We should record that RF has promoted and promotes the militant policy
of Azerbaijan to Armenia, as well as further sharpens the arms race
started between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Generally, arms race may
result in two things: either a war or at least economic decomposition
of one of the parties, the bright example of which is the
decomposition of the Soviet Union.
I am confident that Moscow clearly realizes the possible consequences
of its actions. On June 30, Putin's statement (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Oj4RIfIgu7w) was quiet `eloquent', when
replying to the Azerbaijani journalist's question, he said,- `The
Russian military base located in the Republic of Azerbaijan is not
directed against the interests of Azerbaijan.' And what are the
interests of Azerbaijan, is known to everyone, the official Baku
announces about it on the highest level that Azerbaijan is going to
set up a war against the republic of Armenia
RF has become a very dangerous ally for RA, and signing the
Association Agreement with EU is no longer an alternative, moreover,
Armenia need to deepen and expand its military cooperation with the EU
and the Eastern Partnership countries within the process of the EU
Association Agreement. As for the news of brining Iskander-M to
Armenia, I think that dissemination of such information by RF was a
very well organized outflow with the objective to slightly mitigate
the concerns of the Armenian society in connection with the
transaction of selling 1 billion dollars of weapons to Azerbaijan.
But Russian experts are mistaken if they think that the idea of
supplying Iskander-M complexes should be accepted in Armenia with
great enthusiasm. I would like to mention about one more important
fact. The RA voting in UN was not clear, recently. UN GA adopted the
draft submitted by Georgia regarding the issue of refugees from the
occupied territories. The Republic of Armenia should have voted
abstained for the proposal. Georgia is not only a strategically
important neighbor, but we are involved in the EU Association process.
- Customs Union, or EU Association Agreement: is the issue of choice
really an item of the agenda?
- The RA authorities announce that they keep balance between RF and
the EU relations, that is, they are saying that they are maintaining
strategic relationships with the Russia; however, Armenia is headed to
initial the EU association agreement. The statements by European
diplomats are positive that negotiations around al clauses of the EU
Association Agreement are almost completed, and just
technical type of issues are left. I hope it is the case, because it
is not only a political decision for Armenia but also a choice of
civilization. We hope that the government will have enough political
courage that can withstand the pressures of RF.
The latest developments lead to the following conclusion: Armenia can
not maintain its current status. Armenia has to make that choice,
either a nonexistent Eurasian Union, or EU Association Agreement, and
an agreement on Free Trade Zone. In other words, either a free market
with the EU, or return to the Soviet Union.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
(http://en.aravot.am/2013/07/05/155246/)
22:24 | July 5 2013
So thinks David Shahnazaryan
- Russia raised the price for gas, then we learned that the Government
of Armenia is negotiating with `Gazprom' regarding selling of 20% of
the share owned by Armenia in `ArmRusGasArd'. What is going on in
Armenian-Russian economic relations?
- Gas price increase, of course, was predictable, but it was obvious
that it's just a political pressure of Russian to Armenia. The issue
of yielding 20 percent of share owned by Armenia in `ArmRusGasArd' to
Gazprom, in my opinion, is an unacceptable deal, it provides a small,
but important part of ownership and sovereignty to RF. I would call on
the NA factions and the Deputies not to organize hearings or
discussions with the press, but to come up with the initiative holding
an extraordinary session of the National Assembly, to submit a project
on 20% share owned by Armenia in `ArmRusGazard', which will expressly
prohibit by the law the potential of the share to transfer to RF or
any other country. This problem once again proved the indisputable
fact that we have a serious problem of energy security.
I would like to point out that, in compliance with latter-day
standards and requirements of the free market, in the sector of
energy, the gas supplier and the gas distribution implementer can not
be the same company, while in the case of Armenia it is the `Gazprom',
which performs these two functions from the position of monopoly, to
the point, almost the same situation is in the energy sector. The
hostage situation of energy in Armenia prevents the efficiency of the
economy, affects the living standards of citizens, and endangers our
country's development prospects. It is necessary to take steps aimed
at strengthening of energy security, and diversification of our energy
system.
The small diameter of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, years ago, during the
period of Kocharyan was handed over to RF. I think that this is now a
strategic issue, and the government should promptly take steps in
getting a new large diameter gas pipeline from Iran, which will have
all the capabilities to become a transit, especially under the
conditions when, after the presidential election in Iran, new and more
favorable situation seemed to be created for the implementation of
such a project.
- What is your opinion of selling weapons of $ 1 billion to Azerbaijan
by RF and persistently circulated information about the fact that
Iskander-M complexes were brought to Armenia from RF?
- The fact of selling weapon worth $ 1 billion to Azerbaijan is
directly related to our national security. Pay attention to the fact
that the matter is purely about the offensive arms, and as a number of
international military experts correctly assess, in the result of this
transaction the military balance between Armenia and Azerbaijan is
violated. It's amazing both the indifferent response of the
authorities (although I'm sure they are seriously concerned), as well
as the fact that the parties of
Armenia did not react to the fact, with the exception of `Free
Democrats' and `Heritage' parties. The explanations and assurances of
RF high-rank officials cannot be any way considered satisfactory that
it is a purely economic transaction. In the case, Armenia, in its
relations with RF, should pursue by its economy and not only economic
interests. The explanations of RF high-rank officials that selling
weapons to Azerbaijan is an `economic interest', `purely business' is
not serious, even I would like to remind you about the well-known
justification of anti-heroes Mario Puzo: `Nothing personal, just a
business...'
We should record that RF has promoted and promotes the militant policy
of Azerbaijan to Armenia, as well as further sharpens the arms race
started between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Generally, arms race may
result in two things: either a war or at least economic decomposition
of one of the parties, the bright example of which is the
decomposition of the Soviet Union.
I am confident that Moscow clearly realizes the possible consequences
of its actions. On June 30, Putin's statement (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Oj4RIfIgu7w) was quiet `eloquent', when
replying to the Azerbaijani journalist's question, he said,- `The
Russian military base located in the Republic of Azerbaijan is not
directed against the interests of Azerbaijan.' And what are the
interests of Azerbaijan, is known to everyone, the official Baku
announces about it on the highest level that Azerbaijan is going to
set up a war against the republic of Armenia
RF has become a very dangerous ally for RA, and signing the
Association Agreement with EU is no longer an alternative, moreover,
Armenia need to deepen and expand its military cooperation with the EU
and the Eastern Partnership countries within the process of the EU
Association Agreement. As for the news of brining Iskander-M to
Armenia, I think that dissemination of such information by RF was a
very well organized outflow with the objective to slightly mitigate
the concerns of the Armenian society in connection with the
transaction of selling 1 billion dollars of weapons to Azerbaijan.
But Russian experts are mistaken if they think that the idea of
supplying Iskander-M complexes should be accepted in Armenia with
great enthusiasm. I would like to mention about one more important
fact. The RA voting in UN was not clear, recently. UN GA adopted the
draft submitted by Georgia regarding the issue of refugees from the
occupied territories. The Republic of Armenia should have voted
abstained for the proposal. Georgia is not only a strategically
important neighbor, but we are involved in the EU Association process.
- Customs Union, or EU Association Agreement: is the issue of choice
really an item of the agenda?
- The RA authorities announce that they keep balance between RF and
the EU relations, that is, they are saying that they are maintaining
strategic relationships with the Russia; however, Armenia is headed to
initial the EU association agreement. The statements by European
diplomats are positive that negotiations around al clauses of the EU
Association Agreement are almost completed, and just
technical type of issues are left. I hope it is the case, because it
is not only a political decision for Armenia but also a choice of
civilization. We hope that the government will have enough political
courage that can withstand the pressures of RF.
The latest developments lead to the following conclusion: Armenia can
not maintain its current status. Armenia has to make that choice,
either a nonexistent Eurasian Union, or EU Association Agreement, and
an agreement on Free Trade Zone. In other words, either a free market
with the EU, or return to the Soviet Union.
Nelly GRIGORYAN