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'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
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