SERZH SARGSYAN WILL CRITICIZE RUSSIA
According to the press reports about the meetings of the EU
commissioner for enlargement and neighborhood policy Stefan Fule in
Yerevan, the Armenian side did not express any commitment to sign the
Association Agreement in November.
Of course, it does not mean that the Agreement will not be initialed
but the lack of official assurances means that either the Armenian
side wants to make Russia nervous once again or they submitted to the
European official a full package of complaints and demands.
Fule met with journalists and NGO representatives, and actually
answered complaints and demands of the authorities. He said that
Europe will give a lot of money and will boost investments but only
after signing the Association Agreement. But the most interesting
thing is that the EU official answered a question on Russia's pressure
on Armenia saying that even if there is pressure, it only strengthens
Armenia's regional positions.
This is a very important statement. Fule has actually told the
Armenian authorities that if Russia presses them, it enables them to
be at the same level. If Russia needs Armenia desperately, the latter
may demand more from Moscow.
Apparently, Fule heard in Yerevan a lot of unpleasant things about
Russia. Perhaps, they complained that Russia has increased the gas
price and will not agree to subsidize the price unless Armenia refuses
to sign the Association Agreement with the EU. If Russia does not give
money to Armenia, in a few months a social revolt will be inevitable
in Armenia, and there will be nobody to sign the Association Agreement
in November.
Europe seems to have promised some assistance to Armenia to hold on
till November. Then, as Fule promised, Armenia will receive a lot of
money. But the answer seems to be unsatisfactory for Armenia and Fule
had to open the cards forcing the Armenian authorities to criticize
Russia or give new guarantees.
Today Serzh Sargsyan is attending the Eastern Partnership summit in
Chisinau. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy Catherine Ashton is there too.
Actually, the heavy artillery has been launched to ensure the European
integration of four post-Soviet republics. And in Chisinau Serzh
Sargsyan will either have to criticize Russia or to say that there is
nothing that holds Armenia back from signing the Association Agreement
with the EU.
Naira Hayrumyan
13:28 11/07/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/politics/view/30433
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
According to the press reports about the meetings of the EU
commissioner for enlargement and neighborhood policy Stefan Fule in
Yerevan, the Armenian side did not express any commitment to sign the
Association Agreement in November.
Of course, it does not mean that the Agreement will not be initialed
but the lack of official assurances means that either the Armenian
side wants to make Russia nervous once again or they submitted to the
European official a full package of complaints and demands.
Fule met with journalists and NGO representatives, and actually
answered complaints and demands of the authorities. He said that
Europe will give a lot of money and will boost investments but only
after signing the Association Agreement. But the most interesting
thing is that the EU official answered a question on Russia's pressure
on Armenia saying that even if there is pressure, it only strengthens
Armenia's regional positions.
This is a very important statement. Fule has actually told the
Armenian authorities that if Russia presses them, it enables them to
be at the same level. If Russia needs Armenia desperately, the latter
may demand more from Moscow.
Apparently, Fule heard in Yerevan a lot of unpleasant things about
Russia. Perhaps, they complained that Russia has increased the gas
price and will not agree to subsidize the price unless Armenia refuses
to sign the Association Agreement with the EU. If Russia does not give
money to Armenia, in a few months a social revolt will be inevitable
in Armenia, and there will be nobody to sign the Association Agreement
in November.
Europe seems to have promised some assistance to Armenia to hold on
till November. Then, as Fule promised, Armenia will receive a lot of
money. But the answer seems to be unsatisfactory for Armenia and Fule
had to open the cards forcing the Armenian authorities to criticize
Russia or give new guarantees.
Today Serzh Sargsyan is attending the Eastern Partnership summit in
Chisinau. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy Catherine Ashton is there too.
Actually, the heavy artillery has been launched to ensure the European
integration of four post-Soviet republics. And in Chisinau Serzh
Sargsyan will either have to criticize Russia or to say that there is
nothing that holds Armenia back from signing the Association Agreement
with the EU.
Naira Hayrumyan
13:28 11/07/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/politics/view/30433
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress