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ARMENIA'S DECISION IN FAVOR OF ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT KIND OF CIVILIZED CHOICE - KONSTANTIN ZATULIN
13:04 15.07.13
Each country has the right to choose the way it considers necessary
for itself, Konstantin Zatulin, Director of the CIS Institute, said
in an exclusive interview with Tert.am, as he spoke of Armenia's
choice - signing an association agreement with the European Union
(EU) or joining the Russia-proposed Eurasian Union.
"A decision in favor of an association agreement with the EU is kind of
civilized choice known to be accompanied by comments on other options
Armenia might consider as well. They are the Eurasian Union and the
Customs Union, which has been discussed for a year and a half or two
years," Zatulin said.
"Each nation has the right to choose the way it considers necessary.
However, since the passions have been running high, with disregard
for the discussions on the part of Armenia's mass media, individual
MPs and statesmen, Russia has had to respond and present its view of
what is on the stake," he said.
He noted that Armenia is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent
States (CIS) and of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
"I do not think Armenia has shown strong interest in the nascent
Customs Union, with its later development into a Eurasian Union. On
the other hand, the country has shown interest in the EU-announced
Eastern Partnership project and in deeper integration with the EU,"
Zatulin said.
"Moreover, even if Russia did not take notice, our Armenian statesmen
did it long ago instead of us. Among them is Armenia's Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan, who addressed the topic as far back as last year,
and, which is the most important, EU representatives."
European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy
Štefan Fule's stated in Yerevan the other day that the choice was
"both... and" rather than "either...or". Armenia, however, does not
quite trust the statement.
"I do not know the reason why Armenia does not believe. In contrast to
Ukraine, which is ready to sign an association agreement in Vilnius,
this November, Armenia is only ready to initial it. However, aware
of diplomatic practice, I can say that initialing implies that not a
single word or comma is added to the agreed document. This decision
lays certain responsibility on Armenia, which means conceding some
of its sovereignty over economic decisions to the EU, which is now
extending its standards to Armenia."
This factor is causing a number of problems, ruling out the possibility
of "both...and" in economic relations with Russia, creating a certain
atmosphere in other areas, with economy to influence them.
Russia has until recently been number one investor in Armenia.
However, the expert finds it difficult to say whether the situation
will remain unchanged after Armenia signs the document.
Armenia and Russia have serious defense and security commitments
as well.
"I do not claim the agreement has anything to do with them. I am
not well informed of the agreement with the EU Armenia is going to
initial. However, the EU-Ukraine agreement I am well informed of
does contain points on combined efforts in defense and security,"
Zatulin said. Ukraine may not be so much concerned over it. As regards
Armenia, there are certain threats in the region in the context of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and relations with Turkey.
"People must realize interrelations in the world," Zatulin said. In
this context, he pointed out high-level and successful Armenian-Russian
relations in the political, military and security areas.
With respect to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Zatulin said:
"I know I am a persona non grata in Azerbaijan, and I am not going to
ask Baku for permission to visit Nagorno-Karabakh. However, Russia, as
Minsk Group mediator, has a more reserved and neutral position. Never
and nowhere has Russia said that 'we recognize Nagorno-Karabakh or
will defend Nagorno-Karabakh should Azerbaijan attack it.' However,
Russia's ex-president Dmitry Medvedev stated recently that Russia
would have to honor its commitments in case Armenia came under threat.
Let us be honest - it is Armenia rather than Nagorno-Karabakh that
is in question," Zatulin said.
He believes that "should anything happen in the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict zone, it will inevitably affect Armenia."
"So Russia's commitment is of high importance for the entire defense
and security system of Armenia," Zatulin said.
With respect to the Russian-Azerbaijani arms deals, he said that all
the sides are seeking advantages.
"All the sides - including our military-industrial complex - are
seeking an advantage. If it were my decision, I would not supply the
weapons to the region, given the military threat in connection with
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. If Azerbaijan has money it is no problem
to find tanks on the market - if it is not Russia, it may be another
nation. In any case, however, it makes me shudder," he said.
In conclusion, Konstantin Zatulin noted that the people committed
to Russian-Armenian relations have to argue with those holding more
liberal views, as well as with those offering other options.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/07/15/zatulin/
13:04 15.07.13
Each country has the right to choose the way it considers necessary
for itself, Konstantin Zatulin, Director of the CIS Institute, said
in an exclusive interview with Tert.am, as he spoke of Armenia's
choice - signing an association agreement with the European Union
(EU) or joining the Russia-proposed Eurasian Union.
"A decision in favor of an association agreement with the EU is kind of
civilized choice known to be accompanied by comments on other options
Armenia might consider as well. They are the Eurasian Union and the
Customs Union, which has been discussed for a year and a half or two
years," Zatulin said.
"Each nation has the right to choose the way it considers necessary.
However, since the passions have been running high, with disregard
for the discussions on the part of Armenia's mass media, individual
MPs and statesmen, Russia has had to respond and present its view of
what is on the stake," he said.
He noted that Armenia is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent
States (CIS) and of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
"I do not think Armenia has shown strong interest in the nascent
Customs Union, with its later development into a Eurasian Union. On
the other hand, the country has shown interest in the EU-announced
Eastern Partnership project and in deeper integration with the EU,"
Zatulin said.
"Moreover, even if Russia did not take notice, our Armenian statesmen
did it long ago instead of us. Among them is Armenia's Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan, who addressed the topic as far back as last year,
and, which is the most important, EU representatives."
European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy
Štefan Fule's stated in Yerevan the other day that the choice was
"both... and" rather than "either...or". Armenia, however, does not
quite trust the statement.
"I do not know the reason why Armenia does not believe. In contrast to
Ukraine, which is ready to sign an association agreement in Vilnius,
this November, Armenia is only ready to initial it. However, aware
of diplomatic practice, I can say that initialing implies that not a
single word or comma is added to the agreed document. This decision
lays certain responsibility on Armenia, which means conceding some
of its sovereignty over economic decisions to the EU, which is now
extending its standards to Armenia."
This factor is causing a number of problems, ruling out the possibility
of "both...and" in economic relations with Russia, creating a certain
atmosphere in other areas, with economy to influence them.
Russia has until recently been number one investor in Armenia.
However, the expert finds it difficult to say whether the situation
will remain unchanged after Armenia signs the document.
Armenia and Russia have serious defense and security commitments
as well.
"I do not claim the agreement has anything to do with them. I am
not well informed of the agreement with the EU Armenia is going to
initial. However, the EU-Ukraine agreement I am well informed of
does contain points on combined efforts in defense and security,"
Zatulin said. Ukraine may not be so much concerned over it. As regards
Armenia, there are certain threats in the region in the context of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and relations with Turkey.
"People must realize interrelations in the world," Zatulin said. In
this context, he pointed out high-level and successful Armenian-Russian
relations in the political, military and security areas.
With respect to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Zatulin said:
"I know I am a persona non grata in Azerbaijan, and I am not going to
ask Baku for permission to visit Nagorno-Karabakh. However, Russia, as
Minsk Group mediator, has a more reserved and neutral position. Never
and nowhere has Russia said that 'we recognize Nagorno-Karabakh or
will defend Nagorno-Karabakh should Azerbaijan attack it.' However,
Russia's ex-president Dmitry Medvedev stated recently that Russia
would have to honor its commitments in case Armenia came under threat.
Let us be honest - it is Armenia rather than Nagorno-Karabakh that
is in question," Zatulin said.
He believes that "should anything happen in the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict zone, it will inevitably affect Armenia."
"So Russia's commitment is of high importance for the entire defense
and security system of Armenia," Zatulin said.
With respect to the Russian-Azerbaijani arms deals, he said that all
the sides are seeking advantages.
"All the sides - including our military-industrial complex - are
seeking an advantage. If it were my decision, I would not supply the
weapons to the region, given the military threat in connection with
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. If Azerbaijan has money it is no problem
to find tanks on the market - if it is not Russia, it may be another
nation. In any case, however, it makes me shudder," he said.
In conclusion, Konstantin Zatulin noted that the people committed
to Russian-Armenian relations have to argue with those holding more
liberal views, as well as with those offering other options.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/07/15/zatulin/