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Who Is Next Prime Minister?
Haik Aramyan
12:27 02/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/29147
Tigran Sargsyan was to visit Moscow end of February or beginning of
March. ôhe spokesman for the prime minister Harutiun Kbeyan informed,
however, that the visit has been postponed because Serzh Sargsyan will
meet with the Russian president Vladimir Putin on March 12.
Perhaps the nomination of the next prime minister will be discussed
with Putin. It's not accidental that Putin rushed to congratulate
Serzh Sargsyan. Everything in the Armenian-Russian relations has a
price, from gas to nomination of prime minister.
The nomination of the prime minister is a key issue for the first time
due to domestic developments and the plans of partners on Armenia.
Armenia is currently located at the line of geopolitical fracture and
is facing a choice. In domestic affairs it is the criminal-oligarchic
system, in foreign affairs it is the choice of civilization and a new
role.
Serzh Sargsyan is a leaving president. He may leave earlier than the
end of his second term due to domestic or foreign circumstances.
Currently the introduction of parliamentary governance is considered,
so the Constitution may be amended, and the prime minister may become
a key position.
An uncovered interest of foreign partners in the post of prime
minister is felt. The West is believed to support Tigran Sargsyan. Our
relations with the United States and the EU advanced, important
agreements were signed and commitments were made. The process of
signing of the Association Agreement and DCFTA with the EU was
accelerated. The United States organized Tigran Sargsyan's visit,
offered profitable economic programs, particularly in IT. Besides, the
possibility of resumption of MCC assistance was hinted.
It is hard to tell whether the West supports Tigran Sargsyan whose
economic policy has failed. In this case, the West does not have an
"alternative" candidate for prime minister. Generally, the West has a
shortage of partners in Armenia which is an obstacle.
On the other hand, the West has focused on "systemic work" in Armenia.
Immense assistance and loans were provided thanks to which Armenia has
partly improved public administration, infrastructures, paid pensions
and benefits. Thus the West became the partner of the state.
Russia is different. Unlike the West, Moscow is not a partner. It
preferred work with individuals to keep the political and economic
systems of Armenia under control. This style was more strongly felt
during Kocharyan's office when the criminal-oligarchic system was
established which controlled all the spheres of life, and Kocharyan
was at the top of this system with a direct link to the Kremlin.
In the new situation nomination of prime minister is highly important
to Moscow. During Kocharyan's office Moscow did not care for the prime
minister because it controlled Armenia through him.
A lot has changed since then because during Serzh Sargsyan's office
Yerevan diversified its foreign policy as Russia went too far and
ignored its "strategic partner's" interests impudently by supplying
weapon to Azerbaijan and making efforts to return Karabakh to
Azerbaijan.
Russia has to support the current regime because its policy on Armenia
has taken an unexpected turn for Russia. Traditional methods are not
effective, and Kremlin has not thought of anything new. Moscow has no
economic proposals. Two pro-Russian parties, the PAP and the Armenian
National Congress, failed. The current developments in the opposition
worry Moscow.
ïne can feel how Moscow tried to keep its presence in Armenia. It is
the story of the gas price and the arrangement enabling CSTO forces to
interfere with the domestic affairs of its member states. Moscow's
policy on Armenia is not that of the carrot and stick but stick and
stick. With the traditional attitude of humiliation, Moscow cannot
cross the psychological border and set up partnership with Armenia.
The nomination of the next prime minister is evidence to this. The
Armenian press reported rumors on Russia's likelihood to offer a
better price of gas in return for the appointment of Karen Karapetyan,
the ex-CEO of ARG. It recalls the Property for Debt arrangement.
Moscow's attitude and style is the same, isn't it? Apparently, the
circumstances of Robert Kocharyan, Hovik Abrahamyan and the other
Karen Karapetyan were not effective.
Armenia is highly important to Russia. "Losing" Armenia, Russia will
lose its foothold in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Moscow knows it
very well. Armenia also understood this, so it is time to go for a
dignified partnership over forming government and other issues.
However, the governments of Russia and Armenia are not capable of such
partnership.
From: A. Papazian
Haik Aramyan
12:27 02/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/29147
Tigran Sargsyan was to visit Moscow end of February or beginning of
March. ôhe spokesman for the prime minister Harutiun Kbeyan informed,
however, that the visit has been postponed because Serzh Sargsyan will
meet with the Russian president Vladimir Putin on March 12.
Perhaps the nomination of the next prime minister will be discussed
with Putin. It's not accidental that Putin rushed to congratulate
Serzh Sargsyan. Everything in the Armenian-Russian relations has a
price, from gas to nomination of prime minister.
The nomination of the prime minister is a key issue for the first time
due to domestic developments and the plans of partners on Armenia.
Armenia is currently located at the line of geopolitical fracture and
is facing a choice. In domestic affairs it is the criminal-oligarchic
system, in foreign affairs it is the choice of civilization and a new
role.
Serzh Sargsyan is a leaving president. He may leave earlier than the
end of his second term due to domestic or foreign circumstances.
Currently the introduction of parliamentary governance is considered,
so the Constitution may be amended, and the prime minister may become
a key position.
An uncovered interest of foreign partners in the post of prime
minister is felt. The West is believed to support Tigran Sargsyan. Our
relations with the United States and the EU advanced, important
agreements were signed and commitments were made. The process of
signing of the Association Agreement and DCFTA with the EU was
accelerated. The United States organized Tigran Sargsyan's visit,
offered profitable economic programs, particularly in IT. Besides, the
possibility of resumption of MCC assistance was hinted.
It is hard to tell whether the West supports Tigran Sargsyan whose
economic policy has failed. In this case, the West does not have an
"alternative" candidate for prime minister. Generally, the West has a
shortage of partners in Armenia which is an obstacle.
On the other hand, the West has focused on "systemic work" in Armenia.
Immense assistance and loans were provided thanks to which Armenia has
partly improved public administration, infrastructures, paid pensions
and benefits. Thus the West became the partner of the state.
Russia is different. Unlike the West, Moscow is not a partner. It
preferred work with individuals to keep the political and economic
systems of Armenia under control. This style was more strongly felt
during Kocharyan's office when the criminal-oligarchic system was
established which controlled all the spheres of life, and Kocharyan
was at the top of this system with a direct link to the Kremlin.
In the new situation nomination of prime minister is highly important
to Moscow. During Kocharyan's office Moscow did not care for the prime
minister because it controlled Armenia through him.
A lot has changed since then because during Serzh Sargsyan's office
Yerevan diversified its foreign policy as Russia went too far and
ignored its "strategic partner's" interests impudently by supplying
weapon to Azerbaijan and making efforts to return Karabakh to
Azerbaijan.
Russia has to support the current regime because its policy on Armenia
has taken an unexpected turn for Russia. Traditional methods are not
effective, and Kremlin has not thought of anything new. Moscow has no
economic proposals. Two pro-Russian parties, the PAP and the Armenian
National Congress, failed. The current developments in the opposition
worry Moscow.
ïne can feel how Moscow tried to keep its presence in Armenia. It is
the story of the gas price and the arrangement enabling CSTO forces to
interfere with the domestic affairs of its member states. Moscow's
policy on Armenia is not that of the carrot and stick but stick and
stick. With the traditional attitude of humiliation, Moscow cannot
cross the psychological border and set up partnership with Armenia.
The nomination of the next prime minister is evidence to this. The
Armenian press reported rumors on Russia's likelihood to offer a
better price of gas in return for the appointment of Karen Karapetyan,
the ex-CEO of ARG. It recalls the Property for Debt arrangement.
Moscow's attitude and style is the same, isn't it? Apparently, the
circumstances of Robert Kocharyan, Hovik Abrahamyan and the other
Karen Karapetyan were not effective.
Armenia is highly important to Russia. "Losing" Armenia, Russia will
lose its foothold in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Moscow knows it
very well. Armenia also understood this, so it is time to go for a
dignified partnership over forming government and other issues.
However, the governments of Russia and Armenia are not capable of such
partnership.
From: A. Papazian