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VAHAN SHIRKHANYAN: ARMENIA'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INTEGRATION PROSPECTS MAY BE CONNECTED WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION ONLY VIRTUALLY
Interview with Vahan Shirkhanyan, member of the Social Democratic
Hnchakyan Party, former vice premier Armenia
by David Stepanyan
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=59C3CA80-B32D-11E2-A46BF6327207157C
Thursday, May 2, 17:35
Azeri mass media have recently reported Azerbaijan's decision to stop
all negotiations for buying new arms from Russia and a simultaneous
decision by some European producers to soften their arms sale terms
for the South Caucasus. Has Baku an opportunity to refuse the Russian
military equipment indeed?
Azerbaijan will refuse Russian equipment and weapon only when
Russia refuses to deliver it. Otherwise, that will not happen. In
this context, everything depends on Moscow, not Baku as some people
try to present. I think that Moscow has already refused to deliver
certain types of weapon to Baku. And today Azerbaijan is trying to
present the situation in a favorable light, saying that it refuses
to purchase Russian weapon.
Why might Russia have refused such beneficial cooperation given that
over the past 5 years Baku has purchased from Moscow weaponry worth
1.7 bln USD?
There are certain problems in the relations between Baku and
Moscow that need to be settled. The first is about close military
cooperation between Baku and Ankara and purchasing of the Turkish
weapon by Azerbaijan. The second is about pretensions of Azerbaijan
to the Caspian basin. Moscow worries about aspiration of the Aliyev's
regime to help the West to dispose of Iran, as well as about Baku's
actions at the southern borders of Russia. The matter concerns illegal
training of terrorists, treatment of wounded terrorists, delivery of
weapon from the territory of Azerbaijan since the beginning of the
1990s. The aspiration of Baku and Ankara to destabilize the situation
in the North Caucasus has been proved for several times. Finally,
Israel really could offer Azerbaijan to deliver weapon at the damping
prices. This must not be ruled out either. So, 1.7 billion of the oil
dollars cannot play the key part in the relations between Moscow and
Baku. Here there are many more serious and expensive problems.
Ho much do you think the relations between Baku and Tehran may
deteriorate? The situation is aggravating with every passing day...
The hysteria of Aliyev's regime against Iran is directed only at local
usage. Azerbaijan is guided by the feudal development model, in which
the Alyev's clan has been conducting an anti-people policy. In this
context, the clan extremely needs frightening its own people by the
external threat from the side of Armenia, Iran and even Turkmenistan
from time to time. This is a political line, an instrument used by
the Aliyevs for many years. They have no other way, because to go
the normal civilized way of development will mean for them to lose
everything gained illegally.
Today experts speak much about Armenia's dilemma between the Customs
Union and the EU Association. It is noteworthy that the issue is
raised in the political context mostly and only few speak of its
economic component...
Armenia has passed a rather difficult period of history in the
conditions of conducting foreign complementary policy. As a result
of such a policy, our country took numerous duties against the
opposing force centers. And it is quite natural that the republic
cannot immediately get rid of these duties and start conducting
the new foreign policy. However, creation of the Customs Union and
the prospects of the Eurasian Union creation are new opportunities
for the foreign policy of Armenia. I think that Armenia's interests
are obvious just in these two structures. At the same time, I think
that the republic will go on developing the same way clearing out
its opportunities and prospects of possible membership in these two
integration unions. Joining the Customs Union will help Yerevan to
resolve specific economic problems, whereas the European Union is
still very far away and it is a practically impossible future for
Armenia. Today, it is unreal for Armenia to see in the EU specific
potential of the economic development and integration processes.
What specific benefits may there be?
Armenia's joining the Customs Union will first of all open a huge and
endless market for the country, where Armenian goods will feel more
comfortable than at the European market. This is very much relevant
today, taking into account the fact that the present production
capacity of Armenia was created just at the Russian market. Secondly,
joining the Customs Union will open new integration opportunities
for Armenia, including with its neighboring countries. As I know,
dozens of countries, including Iran, have already displayed their
interest in joining the Customs Union. Many customs points on the way
of goods importing to Armenia cannot but affect their final cost. In
this context, joining the CU will result in dropping of prices
of the goods imported to Armenia. As for the political component,
he thinks that the military-political and strategic relations with
Russia have no alternative for Armenia, and the history has proved
that many times since 1990. These relations will go on developing at
least for the next dozens of years ensuring Armenia's security.
Armenia will soon mark the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
in the Ottoman Empire. Do you think Armenia conducts a correct policy
on international recognition of the Armenian Genocide?
Armenia's policy in the matter of international recognition of the
Armenian genocide has grown much for the last 4 years. Earlier the
authorities of the republic used to come forward from the extremely
uncertain positions which were damaging international recognition of
this human tragedy. At the same time, it is natural that day by day
we come across changes and new challenges around the issue. I think
that the moment has come when the Armenians should demand from Turkey
what they lost as a result of the genocide. Armenians will not be
satisfied even with the Turks' apology, compensation for the moral
damage and recognition of their forefathers' mistakes. The Armenians
lost their true motherland and the time has come to demand what was
taken from them. It may be and should be done only on the basis of
the UN conventions and all the internationally recognized machineries,
documents and legal basis. This is enough to reach historical justice
on the basis of the consolidated right of the people of Armenia.
One of the key issues being discussed in the republic is the election
to the Yerevan Elders' Council. Which of the 7 political forces
participating in the election is most likely to win?
I don't think that the upcoming elections to the Elders' Council
of Yerevan will differ from the previous ones. I think one of the
pro-governmental parties will win. Afterwards, we can expect certain
changes in the life of Yerevan and the citizens of Yerevan. Time
sets new requirements to the public and the authorities. Therefore,
the newly elected Elders' Council will have to seriously approach the
basic problems of Yerevan. It is high time to resolve the problems
in the city.
Do you mean the candidates from not only the Republican Party of
Armenia but also the Orinats Yerkir Party?
Yes, I do. Armen Yeritsyan is a respectful person and his victory is
also quite possible.
What political consequences will this victory have given the serious
public discontent with the results of the presidential elections held
in February?
The post-election tensions are normal not only for Armenia and the
CIS, but also for the world. Force-majeur situations are hardly
possible in the country. Anyway, a new wave of public discontent is
undesirable as it harms the public rather than the authorities. Any
domestic political shocks affect the country's image in the world,
and consequently, the economy. Many power centers pursue their own
interests in Armenia due to the country's geopolitical and strategic
position. In this light, one cannot rule out also a direct connection
of the recent internal processes in Armenia and those power centers.
At the same time, the public's large-scale discontent with the heavy
social situation in the country is more than obvious. Either together
or apart, these two factors can become a fruitful soil for domestic
political destabilization.
Interview with Vahan Shirkhanyan, member of the Social Democratic
Hnchakyan Party, former vice premier Armenia
by David Stepanyan
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=59C3CA80-B32D-11E2-A46BF6327207157C
Thursday, May 2, 17:35
Azeri mass media have recently reported Azerbaijan's decision to stop
all negotiations for buying new arms from Russia and a simultaneous
decision by some European producers to soften their arms sale terms
for the South Caucasus. Has Baku an opportunity to refuse the Russian
military equipment indeed?
Azerbaijan will refuse Russian equipment and weapon only when
Russia refuses to deliver it. Otherwise, that will not happen. In
this context, everything depends on Moscow, not Baku as some people
try to present. I think that Moscow has already refused to deliver
certain types of weapon to Baku. And today Azerbaijan is trying to
present the situation in a favorable light, saying that it refuses
to purchase Russian weapon.
Why might Russia have refused such beneficial cooperation given that
over the past 5 years Baku has purchased from Moscow weaponry worth
1.7 bln USD?
There are certain problems in the relations between Baku and
Moscow that need to be settled. The first is about close military
cooperation between Baku and Ankara and purchasing of the Turkish
weapon by Azerbaijan. The second is about pretensions of Azerbaijan
to the Caspian basin. Moscow worries about aspiration of the Aliyev's
regime to help the West to dispose of Iran, as well as about Baku's
actions at the southern borders of Russia. The matter concerns illegal
training of terrorists, treatment of wounded terrorists, delivery of
weapon from the territory of Azerbaijan since the beginning of the
1990s. The aspiration of Baku and Ankara to destabilize the situation
in the North Caucasus has been proved for several times. Finally,
Israel really could offer Azerbaijan to deliver weapon at the damping
prices. This must not be ruled out either. So, 1.7 billion of the oil
dollars cannot play the key part in the relations between Moscow and
Baku. Here there are many more serious and expensive problems.
Ho much do you think the relations between Baku and Tehran may
deteriorate? The situation is aggravating with every passing day...
The hysteria of Aliyev's regime against Iran is directed only at local
usage. Azerbaijan is guided by the feudal development model, in which
the Alyev's clan has been conducting an anti-people policy. In this
context, the clan extremely needs frightening its own people by the
external threat from the side of Armenia, Iran and even Turkmenistan
from time to time. This is a political line, an instrument used by
the Aliyevs for many years. They have no other way, because to go
the normal civilized way of development will mean for them to lose
everything gained illegally.
Today experts speak much about Armenia's dilemma between the Customs
Union and the EU Association. It is noteworthy that the issue is
raised in the political context mostly and only few speak of its
economic component...
Armenia has passed a rather difficult period of history in the
conditions of conducting foreign complementary policy. As a result
of such a policy, our country took numerous duties against the
opposing force centers. And it is quite natural that the republic
cannot immediately get rid of these duties and start conducting
the new foreign policy. However, creation of the Customs Union and
the prospects of the Eurasian Union creation are new opportunities
for the foreign policy of Armenia. I think that Armenia's interests
are obvious just in these two structures. At the same time, I think
that the republic will go on developing the same way clearing out
its opportunities and prospects of possible membership in these two
integration unions. Joining the Customs Union will help Yerevan to
resolve specific economic problems, whereas the European Union is
still very far away and it is a practically impossible future for
Armenia. Today, it is unreal for Armenia to see in the EU specific
potential of the economic development and integration processes.
What specific benefits may there be?
Armenia's joining the Customs Union will first of all open a huge and
endless market for the country, where Armenian goods will feel more
comfortable than at the European market. This is very much relevant
today, taking into account the fact that the present production
capacity of Armenia was created just at the Russian market. Secondly,
joining the Customs Union will open new integration opportunities
for Armenia, including with its neighboring countries. As I know,
dozens of countries, including Iran, have already displayed their
interest in joining the Customs Union. Many customs points on the way
of goods importing to Armenia cannot but affect their final cost. In
this context, joining the CU will result in dropping of prices
of the goods imported to Armenia. As for the political component,
he thinks that the military-political and strategic relations with
Russia have no alternative for Armenia, and the history has proved
that many times since 1990. These relations will go on developing at
least for the next dozens of years ensuring Armenia's security.
Armenia will soon mark the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
in the Ottoman Empire. Do you think Armenia conducts a correct policy
on international recognition of the Armenian Genocide?
Armenia's policy in the matter of international recognition of the
Armenian genocide has grown much for the last 4 years. Earlier the
authorities of the republic used to come forward from the extremely
uncertain positions which were damaging international recognition of
this human tragedy. At the same time, it is natural that day by day
we come across changes and new challenges around the issue. I think
that the moment has come when the Armenians should demand from Turkey
what they lost as a result of the genocide. Armenians will not be
satisfied even with the Turks' apology, compensation for the moral
damage and recognition of their forefathers' mistakes. The Armenians
lost their true motherland and the time has come to demand what was
taken from them. It may be and should be done only on the basis of
the UN conventions and all the internationally recognized machineries,
documents and legal basis. This is enough to reach historical justice
on the basis of the consolidated right of the people of Armenia.
One of the key issues being discussed in the republic is the election
to the Yerevan Elders' Council. Which of the 7 political forces
participating in the election is most likely to win?
I don't think that the upcoming elections to the Elders' Council
of Yerevan will differ from the previous ones. I think one of the
pro-governmental parties will win. Afterwards, we can expect certain
changes in the life of Yerevan and the citizens of Yerevan. Time
sets new requirements to the public and the authorities. Therefore,
the newly elected Elders' Council will have to seriously approach the
basic problems of Yerevan. It is high time to resolve the problems
in the city.
Do you mean the candidates from not only the Republican Party of
Armenia but also the Orinats Yerkir Party?
Yes, I do. Armen Yeritsyan is a respectful person and his victory is
also quite possible.
What political consequences will this victory have given the serious
public discontent with the results of the presidential elections held
in February?
The post-election tensions are normal not only for Armenia and the
CIS, but also for the world. Force-majeur situations are hardly
possible in the country. Anyway, a new wave of public discontent is
undesirable as it harms the public rather than the authorities. Any
domestic political shocks affect the country's image in the world,
and consequently, the economy. Many power centers pursue their own
interests in Armenia due to the country's geopolitical and strategic
position. In this light, one cannot rule out also a direct connection
of the recent internal processes in Armenia and those power centers.
At the same time, the public's large-scale discontent with the heavy
social situation in the country is more than obvious. Either together
or apart, these two factors can become a fruitful soil for domestic
political destabilization.