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ANDREY ARESHEV: PREREQUISITES OF "COLLAPSE OF ARMENIAN STATEHOOD" ARE WITHIN THE SOCIETY BUT NOT IN THE SCHEMING OF "RUSSIAN IMPERIALISTS"
Interview of Research Fellow at the Black Sea-Caspian Region Institute
for Political and Social Studies, Andrey Areshev with ArmInfo news
agency
by David Stepanyan
Friday, November 15, 19:10
It is noteworthy that in response to Armenia's calls for de-jure
recognition of the de-facto independent NKR, Russian politicians and
experts traditionally recommend Yerevan to do it the first. Meanwhile,
on 12 November, during the parliament hearings on the Bill On
Recognition of NKR by Armenia, Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh
Kocharyan said that by recognizing the NKR, Armenia would just
help Azerbaijan to get rid of the OSCE MG that serves it as "a
straightjacket" now.
Do you agree to such a viewpoint?
The Armenian leadership has repeatedly expressed its stand on
recognition of the NKR. This issue is not on the foreign policy agenda
of Russia, and the views on the issue, actually, bear no relation
to the Karabakh conflict. The OSCE Minsk Group is an important
mechanism of the two parties' dialogue, despite criticism levered
at it. I believe that recognition of NKR by Armenia would give Baku
additional reasons to increase its military rhetoric. Nevertheless,
I am confident that the key factor restraining escalation of tension
in the region is the current balance of forces.
Even Azerbaijani experts confess that Baku's position in the Karabakh
settlement is gradually weakening after ending of the oil boom. So, the
ability of Baku to ensure superpowers and the world community that it
is right is also going down. Will you please comment on the prospects
of the Karabakh settlement in this context taking into consideration
the fact that it is already for two years that presidents of Armenia
and Azerebaijan did not meet?
Baku's efforts to use its "oil-and-caviar diplomacy" or another
similar policy proved vulnerable and inefficient yet long ago.
Even Azerbaijani experts admit that Azerbaijan's chances in the
Karabakh conflict diminish with end of the oil boom. The petrodollar
revenue is being spent in construction frenzy on ostentatious "white
elephants". Due to its impending economic and strategic insignificance
to the West, Azerbaijan needs to become more realistic in its claim
to Nagorno-Karabakh as its ability to persuade the great powers is
set to wane, Azerbaijani experts say. I think decrease in petrodollar
revenues is a factor that may increase tension in the Karabakh conflict
zone. So far, the status quo is maintained and the party that seeks
forced resolution of the conflict still lacks the possibility of
immediate breakthrough. As for the meeting of the Azerbaijani and
Armenian presidents scheduled for 18 November, Areshev believes that
any, even a fragile dialogue is better than nothing, as the threats
of forced settlement of the conflict lead to nowhere. Consequently,
I see no alternative to the upcoming negotiations though they are
obscure as never before.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu reiterated pre-conditions
for opening of the border to Armenia like unilateral compromises of
Armenia to Azerbaijan. Practically, Yerevan does not demand from
Ankara any steps towards normalization of relations. What is the
reason of such a unilateral order of the Turkish minister?
Demonstrating "good will" in the relations with Armenia, Ankara,
actually, pursues propaganda goals.
Recently, Foreign Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu reiterated
preconditions for opening the Armenian border. "We can make a surprise
opening if we convince Azerbaijan," Davutoglu said. Meanwhile, Yerevan
demands no steps from Ankara to this end. The recent statements of
the Turkish minister pursued propaganda goals. It is not a secret,
however, that many structures concerned still mull various schemes
of the Armenian-Turkish normalization. However, I am confident that
little has changed in the principal position of Turkey. Ankara still
links partial opening of the communications with Armenia to the
Karabakh conflict's resolution on Baku's terms.
The supporters of the European integration of Armenia think that an
intention to join the Customs Union voiced by president of Armenia
on 3 September marked the beginning of the "collapse of the Armenian
statehood". Will Armenia's possible joining the Customs Union reduce
the level of its sovereignty?
The EU 'Eastern Partnership' has never had an ultimate aim.
Nevertheless, according to the results of the pro-European propaganda,
certain part of the Armenian community has a stable viewpoint that
they meant not less than an ambitious goal of Armenia's fully-fledged
membership in the EU. Certainly, this is not at all so. However, even
the relevant formats of the European integration suppose at least
partly losing of the economic as well as the state sovereignty, just
the same way as joining the WTO. However, pro-Western propagandists
try not to notice it. I call not to mix with sovereignty an infantile
striving to join such a structure, within the frames of which
one can take more and give less. The EU and its separate members,
which cannot overcome poverty and unemployment, through extension of
its influence at the post-Soviet area, first of all, resolve their
own problems, as they have a purpose to gain extra export markets,
to diversify delivery of energy resources and to strengthen their
political influence. Therefore, one should not ascribe to Brussels
as well as any other player any philanthropic goals which do not
exist in reality. There is anecdotal evidence among the supporters
of the European integration in Armenia that an intention to join the
Customs Union voiced by president of Armenia on 3 September marked the
beginning of the "collapse of the Armenian statehood". Moreover, not
so big but a rather active group of citizens impose this evidence upon
Armenia's public viewpoint. However, abstract and demagogic reasoning
about the statehood or sovereignty should not replace the responsible
foreign policy which combines various directions as effectively as
possible and draws out priorities stemming from the true national
and state interests of the country and ensuring its security. As for
the pre-requisites of the collapse of the Armenian statehood, one
should look for them within the society but not in the scheming of
Russian imperialists. I am glad to see that the relevant discussion
is being held in the Armenian society, and separate hysterical loud
calls are marginal.
Particularly, the march of the thousands of illegal labor migrants
along the central streets in Moscow, the Azerbaijani 'monster-murderer
of the Russian man,' the Armenian 'murderer of 18 Russians' in a
woman's colorful bathrobe in the court hall, and thousands of other
similar titles in the Russian media do not encourage the post-Soviet
countries to join the Eurasian integration project. What is the
reason of such a contradictory policy conducted by the Kremlin towards
potential members of its own Eurasian projects?
Dirty media landscape is not the problem of Russia; it is our common
problem. Particularly, the march of the thousands of illegal labor
migrants along the central streets in Moscow, the Azerbaijani
'monster-murderer of the Russian man,' the Armenian 'murderer of
18 Russians' in a woman's colorful bathrobe in the court hall,
and thousands of other similar titles in the Russian media do not
encourage the post-Soviet countries to join the Eurasian integration
project. In this light, I would recommend everyone to avoid the yellow
press that plays on the instincts and feelings of a certain group of
the citizens. Do not share such news in the web not to help them stir
up inter- ethnic hatred. On the other hands, we should not bury heads
in sand like an ostrich and pretend that there is no such problem or
the problems is just in the intolerance of the Russians. I think that
the thesis on the "Kremlin's policy" is not correct enough, as Russia
is a complicate country with quite different views on every issue. The
idea of the Eurasian Union is not an exception either. Development
of optimal forms of integration with neighbors go side by side with
isolation and pro-western sentiments pursuing integration into the
'civilized world.
Ukraine, being the key target of Moscow's Eurasian integration seems
not to so much comply with the Kremlin's rules. What is the future
foreign political orientation of Kiev?
The Ukrainian people and its political leadership have to make choice
stemming from the interests of the society and the state. Georgia of
Saakashvili's times is the brightest example of the unilateral foreign
political orientation. Saakashvili came to power as a result of the
"revolution of roses". Nikolay Azarov has already estimated only
possible technological expenses within the frames of the "European
integration" at 160 billion EUR. In this context, I cannot understand,
how they can speak about the traditional rules of the Kremlin. I think
that foreign policy of any state cannot but stem from the rational
logic which says that interests of national business and the great
part of the society is priority.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=8045D3F0-4E10-11E3-892A0EB7C0D21663
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Interview of Research Fellow at the Black Sea-Caspian Region Institute
for Political and Social Studies, Andrey Areshev with ArmInfo news
agency
by David Stepanyan
Friday, November 15, 19:10
It is noteworthy that in response to Armenia's calls for de-jure
recognition of the de-facto independent NKR, Russian politicians and
experts traditionally recommend Yerevan to do it the first. Meanwhile,
on 12 November, during the parliament hearings on the Bill On
Recognition of NKR by Armenia, Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh
Kocharyan said that by recognizing the NKR, Armenia would just
help Azerbaijan to get rid of the OSCE MG that serves it as "a
straightjacket" now.
Do you agree to such a viewpoint?
The Armenian leadership has repeatedly expressed its stand on
recognition of the NKR. This issue is not on the foreign policy agenda
of Russia, and the views on the issue, actually, bear no relation
to the Karabakh conflict. The OSCE Minsk Group is an important
mechanism of the two parties' dialogue, despite criticism levered
at it. I believe that recognition of NKR by Armenia would give Baku
additional reasons to increase its military rhetoric. Nevertheless,
I am confident that the key factor restraining escalation of tension
in the region is the current balance of forces.
Even Azerbaijani experts confess that Baku's position in the Karabakh
settlement is gradually weakening after ending of the oil boom. So, the
ability of Baku to ensure superpowers and the world community that it
is right is also going down. Will you please comment on the prospects
of the Karabakh settlement in this context taking into consideration
the fact that it is already for two years that presidents of Armenia
and Azerebaijan did not meet?
Baku's efforts to use its "oil-and-caviar diplomacy" or another
similar policy proved vulnerable and inefficient yet long ago.
Even Azerbaijani experts admit that Azerbaijan's chances in the
Karabakh conflict diminish with end of the oil boom. The petrodollar
revenue is being spent in construction frenzy on ostentatious "white
elephants". Due to its impending economic and strategic insignificance
to the West, Azerbaijan needs to become more realistic in its claim
to Nagorno-Karabakh as its ability to persuade the great powers is
set to wane, Azerbaijani experts say. I think decrease in petrodollar
revenues is a factor that may increase tension in the Karabakh conflict
zone. So far, the status quo is maintained and the party that seeks
forced resolution of the conflict still lacks the possibility of
immediate breakthrough. As for the meeting of the Azerbaijani and
Armenian presidents scheduled for 18 November, Areshev believes that
any, even a fragile dialogue is better than nothing, as the threats
of forced settlement of the conflict lead to nowhere. Consequently,
I see no alternative to the upcoming negotiations though they are
obscure as never before.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu reiterated pre-conditions
for opening of the border to Armenia like unilateral compromises of
Armenia to Azerbaijan. Practically, Yerevan does not demand from
Ankara any steps towards normalization of relations. What is the
reason of such a unilateral order of the Turkish minister?
Demonstrating "good will" in the relations with Armenia, Ankara,
actually, pursues propaganda goals.
Recently, Foreign Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu reiterated
preconditions for opening the Armenian border. "We can make a surprise
opening if we convince Azerbaijan," Davutoglu said. Meanwhile, Yerevan
demands no steps from Ankara to this end. The recent statements of
the Turkish minister pursued propaganda goals. It is not a secret,
however, that many structures concerned still mull various schemes
of the Armenian-Turkish normalization. However, I am confident that
little has changed in the principal position of Turkey. Ankara still
links partial opening of the communications with Armenia to the
Karabakh conflict's resolution on Baku's terms.
The supporters of the European integration of Armenia think that an
intention to join the Customs Union voiced by president of Armenia
on 3 September marked the beginning of the "collapse of the Armenian
statehood". Will Armenia's possible joining the Customs Union reduce
the level of its sovereignty?
The EU 'Eastern Partnership' has never had an ultimate aim.
Nevertheless, according to the results of the pro-European propaganda,
certain part of the Armenian community has a stable viewpoint that
they meant not less than an ambitious goal of Armenia's fully-fledged
membership in the EU. Certainly, this is not at all so. However, even
the relevant formats of the European integration suppose at least
partly losing of the economic as well as the state sovereignty, just
the same way as joining the WTO. However, pro-Western propagandists
try not to notice it. I call not to mix with sovereignty an infantile
striving to join such a structure, within the frames of which
one can take more and give less. The EU and its separate members,
which cannot overcome poverty and unemployment, through extension of
its influence at the post-Soviet area, first of all, resolve their
own problems, as they have a purpose to gain extra export markets,
to diversify delivery of energy resources and to strengthen their
political influence. Therefore, one should not ascribe to Brussels
as well as any other player any philanthropic goals which do not
exist in reality. There is anecdotal evidence among the supporters
of the European integration in Armenia that an intention to join the
Customs Union voiced by president of Armenia on 3 September marked the
beginning of the "collapse of the Armenian statehood". Moreover, not
so big but a rather active group of citizens impose this evidence upon
Armenia's public viewpoint. However, abstract and demagogic reasoning
about the statehood or sovereignty should not replace the responsible
foreign policy which combines various directions as effectively as
possible and draws out priorities stemming from the true national
and state interests of the country and ensuring its security. As for
the pre-requisites of the collapse of the Armenian statehood, one
should look for them within the society but not in the scheming of
Russian imperialists. I am glad to see that the relevant discussion
is being held in the Armenian society, and separate hysterical loud
calls are marginal.
Particularly, the march of the thousands of illegal labor migrants
along the central streets in Moscow, the Azerbaijani 'monster-murderer
of the Russian man,' the Armenian 'murderer of 18 Russians' in a
woman's colorful bathrobe in the court hall, and thousands of other
similar titles in the Russian media do not encourage the post-Soviet
countries to join the Eurasian integration project. What is the
reason of such a contradictory policy conducted by the Kremlin towards
potential members of its own Eurasian projects?
Dirty media landscape is not the problem of Russia; it is our common
problem. Particularly, the march of the thousands of illegal labor
migrants along the central streets in Moscow, the Azerbaijani
'monster-murderer of the Russian man,' the Armenian 'murderer of
18 Russians' in a woman's colorful bathrobe in the court hall,
and thousands of other similar titles in the Russian media do not
encourage the post-Soviet countries to join the Eurasian integration
project. In this light, I would recommend everyone to avoid the yellow
press that plays on the instincts and feelings of a certain group of
the citizens. Do not share such news in the web not to help them stir
up inter- ethnic hatred. On the other hands, we should not bury heads
in sand like an ostrich and pretend that there is no such problem or
the problems is just in the intolerance of the Russians. I think that
the thesis on the "Kremlin's policy" is not correct enough, as Russia
is a complicate country with quite different views on every issue. The
idea of the Eurasian Union is not an exception either. Development
of optimal forms of integration with neighbors go side by side with
isolation and pro-western sentiments pursuing integration into the
'civilized world.
Ukraine, being the key target of Moscow's Eurasian integration seems
not to so much comply with the Kremlin's rules. What is the future
foreign political orientation of Kiev?
The Ukrainian people and its political leadership have to make choice
stemming from the interests of the society and the state. Georgia of
Saakashvili's times is the brightest example of the unilateral foreign
political orientation. Saakashvili came to power as a result of the
"revolution of roses". Nikolay Azarov has already estimated only
possible technological expenses within the frames of the "European
integration" at 160 billion EUR. In this context, I cannot understand,
how they can speak about the traditional rules of the Kremlin. I think
that foreign policy of any state cannot but stem from the rational
logic which says that interests of national business and the great
part of the society is priority.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=8045D3F0-4E10-11E3-892A0EB7C0D21663
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress