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'Gathering Of Allies' On The Threshold Of Possible Unstable Situatio

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  • 'Gathering Of Allies' On The Threshold Of Possible Unstable Situatio

    'GATHERING OF ALLIES' ON THE THRESHOLD OF POSSIBLE UNSTABLE SITUATION IN SOUTH CAUCASUS - ITAR-TASS

    TERT.AM
    12:48 ~U 15.03.13

    Russian ITAR-TASS news agency writes that with hours' difference
    Russia's President Vladimir Putin met this week in Moscow with the
    leaders of Armenia and Abkhazia. In an extended article the agency
    referred to the relations between Russia and the South Caucasian
    countries.

    "In Serzh Sargsyan's case it was his first foreign visit after
    re-election on February 18 while Alexander Ankvab arrived in Moscow
    to discuss further economic cooperation issues," the article's author
    Ivan Sukhov writes.

    Putting aside all the difference, this meeting can be considered
    'gathering of allies' on the threshold of possible unstable, mixed
    situation.

    Currently three countries in the South Caucasus - Armenia, Abkhazia
    and South Ossetia - are loyal to Russia. As to Georgia, standing on
    the threshold of coup, it is not ready to implement radical changes
    in relations with Russia. While Russia's relations with Azerbaijan,
    despite the friendly rhetoric, have not been formed yet with Azerbaijan
    having closer relations with Georgia in the sphere of infrastructures.

    "All the acting figures in contemporary South Caucasian stage, accept
    Russia's dominating position. But if to paint the South Caucasus for
    showing the impact Russia has in these countries and the degree of
    their loyalty to Moscow, Armenia's, Abkhazia's, South Ossetia's colors
    would have essentially differed from those of Azerbaijan and Georgia.

    Looking at this map it becomes clear that these three territories
    form an irregular triangle - a reliable place to cast anchor," the
    author writes said.

    For the development of goal it is necessary to establish
    infrastructural ties that do not exist currently. It would have been
    possible to restore through Sochi-Sukhumi-Yerevan railway that closed
    after Georgian-Abkhazian conflict.

    The topic of reoperation of the railway has been raised after
    Georgian Dream coalition came to power in Georgia but the issue will
    be confronted in certain circles in Georgia and Azerbaijan.

    The reoperation would have lifted Armenia's blockade which has been
    left out from all the infrastructural projects of Baku, Tbilisi
    and Ankara.

    It would automatically mean that Armenia improves its complicated
    relations with Azerbaijan and Ankara. At the same time Russia would
    have restored the economic, political and military influence in the
    region it has noticeably lost since 1991.

    The railway's reoperation interests in Abkhazia and Armenia though
    differ. In Armenia's case it opens new economic opportunities, new
    status which in its turn would have given an opportunity to discuss
    the Karabakh conflict and relations with Turkey more confidently. In
    case of Abkhazia, it is the increase of economic competitiveness. It
    will export not only Abkhazian mandarins to Russia but Armenia's and
    Western Georgia's fruits.

    Though the railway exploitation issue was not discussed during
    Ankvab's and Sargsyan's official visits, Georgia's Prime Minister
    Bidzina Ivanishvili has immediately referred to the topic, saying
    that there is an intention of resuming the work of the railway, but
    there is no need to hurry not to harm Georgia's political interests.

    Nevertheless, it is obvious that this issue will be the main topic
    of Armenian-Russian relations during the 2d term of Serzh Sargsyan.

    "The issue, not raised by any, sounds this way - either the railway
    is being restored or Russia will continue losing its positions in
    the South Caucasus," the author of the article concludes.



    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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