Tweet
GREAT CONFRONTATION IN ARMENIA
HAKOB BADALYAN
12:09 13/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/29257
The visit of the UK deputy foreign minister Simon Fraser to Armenia
passed unheeded amid domestic developments and Serzh Sargsyan's visit
to Moscow. Meanwhile, this visit could be an interesting link of the
domestic and Moscow process in a long-term strategic perspective.
Simon Fraser made interesting statements in Armenia but it is
worthwhile to remember what preceded his visit. It was preceded
by the UK Prime Minister Cameron's congratulation containing an
unprecedented statement. Cameron conveyed the commitment of the UK
to support internal reforms and security of Armenia.
The status of guarantor of security was traditionally with Russia,
and the West has always displayed diplomatic cautiousness. From this
point of view, the statement in the UK Prime Minister's congratulation
was a vivid precedent, especially considering that the UK fulfils
the function of NATO representative to Armenia.
The Armenian visit of Simon Fraser is unprecedented because it is hard
to remember when the UK deputy foreign minister visited Armenia last
and expressed interest in making investments in Armenia. Moreover, the
interest of a British mining company was specifically mentioned. This
is important not only in terms of economy but also political strategy.
Mining is a so-called "elite political" business in the world. There
are no accidental people there. Such is the situation in Armenia.
Mining is the most politicized and at the same time mysterious branch
of the Armenian economy where tens and maybe millions of dollars are
circulated in the shadow. The Armenian mining shadow worries even
the international financial organizations which are usually positive
about the economic policy of the Armenian government.
In other words, mining is one of the important corners of the Armenian
economic and political kitchen and the aspiration of the UK to get
to this corner indicates interesting tendencies.
Most probably, a new big actor appears on the small Armenian platform
of global politics. Or, perhaps it would be more precise to say that
the UK is trying to formalize its presence on this platform. It is hard
to tell the reason. At least, this process indicates considerable
change, considering the historical role of the UK in the global
political processes.
The historical dimension and expertise are not just literary devices
but practical political circumstances. The West-Russia confrontation
for Armenia is entering into a crucial stage where every detail is
important. In this sense, the UK is a valuable actor of the western
community considering the centennial race-confrontation between Russia
and the British empire in the global political arena.
Over time new actors have appeared on this arena who are more dominant
factors, such as the United States or France which is traditionally
considered Armenia's geopolitical protector but Great Britain has
irreplaceable experience of resistance to the Russian pole.
By the way, many years ago the Russian TV commentator Mikhail Leontief
produced a series of films on the British-Russian confrontation in
the past few centuries of the world history.
On the Armenian platform of the global confrontation, in this period
when geopolitical bets grow, the Western pole apparently needs the
British experience.
HAKOB BADALYAN
12:09 13/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/29257
The visit of the UK deputy foreign minister Simon Fraser to Armenia
passed unheeded amid domestic developments and Serzh Sargsyan's visit
to Moscow. Meanwhile, this visit could be an interesting link of the
domestic and Moscow process in a long-term strategic perspective.
Simon Fraser made interesting statements in Armenia but it is
worthwhile to remember what preceded his visit. It was preceded
by the UK Prime Minister Cameron's congratulation containing an
unprecedented statement. Cameron conveyed the commitment of the UK
to support internal reforms and security of Armenia.
The status of guarantor of security was traditionally with Russia,
and the West has always displayed diplomatic cautiousness. From this
point of view, the statement in the UK Prime Minister's congratulation
was a vivid precedent, especially considering that the UK fulfils
the function of NATO representative to Armenia.
The Armenian visit of Simon Fraser is unprecedented because it is hard
to remember when the UK deputy foreign minister visited Armenia last
and expressed interest in making investments in Armenia. Moreover, the
interest of a British mining company was specifically mentioned. This
is important not only in terms of economy but also political strategy.
Mining is a so-called "elite political" business in the world. There
are no accidental people there. Such is the situation in Armenia.
Mining is the most politicized and at the same time mysterious branch
of the Armenian economy where tens and maybe millions of dollars are
circulated in the shadow. The Armenian mining shadow worries even
the international financial organizations which are usually positive
about the economic policy of the Armenian government.
In other words, mining is one of the important corners of the Armenian
economic and political kitchen and the aspiration of the UK to get
to this corner indicates interesting tendencies.
Most probably, a new big actor appears on the small Armenian platform
of global politics. Or, perhaps it would be more precise to say that
the UK is trying to formalize its presence on this platform. It is hard
to tell the reason. At least, this process indicates considerable
change, considering the historical role of the UK in the global
political processes.
The historical dimension and expertise are not just literary devices
but practical political circumstances. The West-Russia confrontation
for Armenia is entering into a crucial stage where every detail is
important. In this sense, the UK is a valuable actor of the western
community considering the centennial race-confrontation between Russia
and the British empire in the global political arena.
Over time new actors have appeared on this arena who are more dominant
factors, such as the United States or France which is traditionally
considered Armenia's geopolitical protector but Great Britain has
irreplaceable experience of resistance to the Russian pole.
By the way, many years ago the Russian TV commentator Mikhail Leontief
produced a series of films on the British-Russian confrontation in
the past few centuries of the world history.
On the Armenian platform of the global confrontation, in this period
when geopolitical bets grow, the Western pole apparently needs the
British experience.