Tweet
"THE DEFENSE SYSTEM OF ARMENIA IS STRENGTHENED BY THE AZERBAIJANI OIL DOLLARS."
June 26 2013
According to the President of RF Caucasus research company Alexander
Krilov, Armenia is interested in the combat of Russian army. -
Russia has started supplying Azerbaijan with about $ 1 billion
worth striking military equipment, - wrote the Russian remarkable
newspaper "Vedomosti" recently adverting to its sources in the RF
Defense Ministry and in the military-industrial complex. Armenians
are concerned about the fact that Azerbaijan is buying large amounts
of military equipment, about the fact that the official Baku buys
equipment not only from RF but Ukraine, Turkey and Israel. But more
disturbing is the fact that Azerbaijan is arming especially RF, the
Armenia's strategic partner. Mr. Krilov, what do you think with regard
to this issue? - Supply of any military equipment in the conflict zone
does not contribute to peaceful settlement of the conflict and lead to
increasing of tension. It is clear that the delivery of the equipment
to Azerbaijan deserved an extreme negative feedback in Armenia.
Obviously, it could have a negative impact on our bilateral relations.
Usually, in such cases, there is not shortage of emotionally, to put
it mildly, extreme criticism in the media of Armenia towards Moscow.
Personally, I absolutely do not like it for several reasons. But
let's try to understand everything without emotions. "Vedomosti"
newspaper is not the official representative of RF government. Without
the information from official sources about the transaction, it is
likely that the newspaper could have inadvertently distorted the
real picture. But after the publication there was no denial from the
official sources, therefore it is more likely that the publication by
"Vedomosti" in part or in full meets the truth, and the outflow of
the newspaper was thought. If the transaction to supply striking
military equipment for about 1 billion dollars from Russia to
Azerbaijan is really true, then why the Russian authorities go for
it. Apparently, there are some considerations, desire to make money,
to invest the amount received in its own military-industrial system
and modernization of the Russian army, as well as realization that
Azerbaijan can easily buy equivalent systems and military equipment
in the international market for $ 1 billion, which it does. It is
known to everybody and you also mentioned it in your question. Will
RF act wisely losing the possibility to retain levers of influence
over Baku (armature requires technical maintenance, spare parts,
ammunition, etc.) and the opportunity to earn good money and to use
earned money for its own army ... Even if it deserves a predictable
stormy response in confederate Armenia, can such a transaction leave
the correlation of forces unchanged in the region? Armenia is a member
of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and confederate of RF
having security guarantees from them that are stipulated by specific
agreements, is interested in combat of the Russian army. If it is
done with neither Russian, nor Armenian funds, but Azerbaijani, maybe
in this case it will be advantageous to Armenia as well. Naturally,
in the case if Armenia's security protection is implemented more
ideally, powerful and equipped with modern military equipment than
what is supplied to Azerbaijan on commercial basis. In fact, that's
what happens. We may say that as a result the defense system of
Armenia is strengthening, including also with the Azerbaijani oil
dollars. In fact, we should not consider everything in the context
of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, the potential dangers of safety
in Armenia are much broader, in relation to what is done and can
be done in southern borders of Armenia. - Mr. Krilov, Armenia and
Azerbaijan are in a no-war, no-peace situation. Does Russia, as an
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing country, contribute to the resolution
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, supplying weapons to both sides
in the conflict? - To prevent the new war and to maintain stability
in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, it is essential to maintain such
balance of forces that will not allow any party of the conflict (even
though everyone knows that it actually the matter is about one party)
to reply on quick defeat of the opponent in a military way. If there
is still no war, and even under the conditions of stable tension its
prospective in the nearest future is not seen in the contact line, it
means that in our cruel and unjust world Russian policy is overcoming
this problem, it means that RF is in line with its role of OSCE MG
co-chair country. That does not mean at all that the Russian policy
is ideal, it may cause fundamental discontent in Armenia, in other
South Caucasus countries, with our Western counterparts, even in RF.
Nonetheless, this policy should be discussed in terms of modern
international and regional issues, in comparison with the policy that
is conducted by the other major powers in the neighboring regions:
the Middle East and North Africa. The acceptable ways and means to
resolve the problems over there, can they be an alternative for Armenia
to RF's current policy and its confederate relations. Armenia is an
independent state, and it will answer that question. - Recently,
the Minister Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan meeting
with journalists confirmed that the Government of Armenia discusses
with "Gazprom" the issue of selling 20% of the Armenian share in
"ArmRusGasArd". On the other hand, on the basis of gas prices rise can
we see the final processes in the EU-Armenia relations? Does Russian
side suggest change in gas prices in the result of seeking signing
of EU Association agreement, as many have mentioned these days? -
The formulation, "the question is under discussion" does not mean at
all that the issue has been settled, and that the decision to sell
the share is adopted. Gas prices have long been a topic of discussion
with the authorities of Armenia, adequate agreements have been reached
on the price increase, which has been postponed until the end of the
presidential elections in Armenia. All this took place earlier than
once "Final processes of Armenia-EU relations" theme became topical.
In practice, along with the importance of the Russian gas price for
Armenia the matter is about more important issue, about historical
choice of Armenia, which appeared in a difficult situation, between
two integration unions. From outer, in the world, the rules of the
game for Armenia are constantly changing. With the establishment
of the customs union, many rules will be changed in the post-Soviet
territory. By what rules of the game Armenia prefers to play, European
Union or Eurasia, depends just on it. It will be its own choice and
personal responsibility. The EU's future development prospective
under the conditions of insurmountable crisis still is not clear.
Furthermore, it is not clear (if not more) the prospects of its
further expansion and the projects that are related to the post-Soviet
territory. It is difficult to assess the fates of such integration
projects, such as the Customs Union and the Eurasian Union. It is not
excluded that, despite widespread mistrust around them, these projects
have a historical perspective. The opposite is not excluded as well.
In the modern world it is difficult to keep the possibility to play
the game by two rules, the EU and Eurasia. It assumes just this slogan
sounded in Yerevan, "and - and" instead of "either-or". Although in
the past some Armenian politicians were able to "walk in the rain
between streams" and stay dry. Will present political officials be
successful in it, time will show? Emma GABRIELYAN
Read more at: http://en.aravot.am/2013/06/26/155066/
© 1998 - 2013 Aravot - News from Armenia
June 26 2013
According to the President of RF Caucasus research company Alexander
Krilov, Armenia is interested in the combat of Russian army. -
Russia has started supplying Azerbaijan with about $ 1 billion
worth striking military equipment, - wrote the Russian remarkable
newspaper "Vedomosti" recently adverting to its sources in the RF
Defense Ministry and in the military-industrial complex. Armenians
are concerned about the fact that Azerbaijan is buying large amounts
of military equipment, about the fact that the official Baku buys
equipment not only from RF but Ukraine, Turkey and Israel. But more
disturbing is the fact that Azerbaijan is arming especially RF, the
Armenia's strategic partner. Mr. Krilov, what do you think with regard
to this issue? - Supply of any military equipment in the conflict zone
does not contribute to peaceful settlement of the conflict and lead to
increasing of tension. It is clear that the delivery of the equipment
to Azerbaijan deserved an extreme negative feedback in Armenia.
Obviously, it could have a negative impact on our bilateral relations.
Usually, in such cases, there is not shortage of emotionally, to put
it mildly, extreme criticism in the media of Armenia towards Moscow.
Personally, I absolutely do not like it for several reasons. But
let's try to understand everything without emotions. "Vedomosti"
newspaper is not the official representative of RF government. Without
the information from official sources about the transaction, it is
likely that the newspaper could have inadvertently distorted the
real picture. But after the publication there was no denial from the
official sources, therefore it is more likely that the publication by
"Vedomosti" in part or in full meets the truth, and the outflow of
the newspaper was thought. If the transaction to supply striking
military equipment for about 1 billion dollars from Russia to
Azerbaijan is really true, then why the Russian authorities go for
it. Apparently, there are some considerations, desire to make money,
to invest the amount received in its own military-industrial system
and modernization of the Russian army, as well as realization that
Azerbaijan can easily buy equivalent systems and military equipment
in the international market for $ 1 billion, which it does. It is
known to everybody and you also mentioned it in your question. Will
RF act wisely losing the possibility to retain levers of influence
over Baku (armature requires technical maintenance, spare parts,
ammunition, etc.) and the opportunity to earn good money and to use
earned money for its own army ... Even if it deserves a predictable
stormy response in confederate Armenia, can such a transaction leave
the correlation of forces unchanged in the region? Armenia is a member
of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and confederate of RF
having security guarantees from them that are stipulated by specific
agreements, is interested in combat of the Russian army. If it is
done with neither Russian, nor Armenian funds, but Azerbaijani, maybe
in this case it will be advantageous to Armenia as well. Naturally,
in the case if Armenia's security protection is implemented more
ideally, powerful and equipped with modern military equipment than
what is supplied to Azerbaijan on commercial basis. In fact, that's
what happens. We may say that as a result the defense system of
Armenia is strengthening, including also with the Azerbaijani oil
dollars. In fact, we should not consider everything in the context
of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, the potential dangers of safety
in Armenia are much broader, in relation to what is done and can
be done in southern borders of Armenia. - Mr. Krilov, Armenia and
Azerbaijan are in a no-war, no-peace situation. Does Russia, as an
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing country, contribute to the resolution
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, supplying weapons to both sides
in the conflict? - To prevent the new war and to maintain stability
in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, it is essential to maintain such
balance of forces that will not allow any party of the conflict (even
though everyone knows that it actually the matter is about one party)
to reply on quick defeat of the opponent in a military way. If there
is still no war, and even under the conditions of stable tension its
prospective in the nearest future is not seen in the contact line, it
means that in our cruel and unjust world Russian policy is overcoming
this problem, it means that RF is in line with its role of OSCE MG
co-chair country. That does not mean at all that the Russian policy
is ideal, it may cause fundamental discontent in Armenia, in other
South Caucasus countries, with our Western counterparts, even in RF.
Nonetheless, this policy should be discussed in terms of modern
international and regional issues, in comparison with the policy that
is conducted by the other major powers in the neighboring regions:
the Middle East and North Africa. The acceptable ways and means to
resolve the problems over there, can they be an alternative for Armenia
to RF's current policy and its confederate relations. Armenia is an
independent state, and it will answer that question. - Recently,
the Minister Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan meeting
with journalists confirmed that the Government of Armenia discusses
with "Gazprom" the issue of selling 20% of the Armenian share in
"ArmRusGasArd". On the other hand, on the basis of gas prices rise can
we see the final processes in the EU-Armenia relations? Does Russian
side suggest change in gas prices in the result of seeking signing
of EU Association agreement, as many have mentioned these days? -
The formulation, "the question is under discussion" does not mean at
all that the issue has been settled, and that the decision to sell
the share is adopted. Gas prices have long been a topic of discussion
with the authorities of Armenia, adequate agreements have been reached
on the price increase, which has been postponed until the end of the
presidential elections in Armenia. All this took place earlier than
once "Final processes of Armenia-EU relations" theme became topical.
In practice, along with the importance of the Russian gas price for
Armenia the matter is about more important issue, about historical
choice of Armenia, which appeared in a difficult situation, between
two integration unions. From outer, in the world, the rules of the
game for Armenia are constantly changing. With the establishment
of the customs union, many rules will be changed in the post-Soviet
territory. By what rules of the game Armenia prefers to play, European
Union or Eurasia, depends just on it. It will be its own choice and
personal responsibility. The EU's future development prospective
under the conditions of insurmountable crisis still is not clear.
Furthermore, it is not clear (if not more) the prospects of its
further expansion and the projects that are related to the post-Soviet
territory. It is difficult to assess the fates of such integration
projects, such as the Customs Union and the Eurasian Union. It is not
excluded that, despite widespread mistrust around them, these projects
have a historical perspective. The opposite is not excluded as well.
In the modern world it is difficult to keep the possibility to play
the game by two rules, the EU and Eurasia. It assumes just this slogan
sounded in Yerevan, "and - and" instead of "either-or". Although in
the past some Armenian politicians were able to "walk in the rain
between streams" and stay dry. Will present political officials be
successful in it, time will show? Emma GABRIELYAN
Read more at: http://en.aravot.am/2013/06/26/155066/
© 1998 - 2013 Aravot - News from Armenia