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RUSSIAN FORMER AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA IS INDIGNANT AT STATEMENT BY AN ARMENIAN EXPERT IN AN INTERVIEW WITH ARMINFO NEWS AGENCY
by Marianna Lazarian
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=B3598AF0-30E9-11E3-9AC70EB7C0D21663
Wednesday, October 9, 17:50
The former ambassador of Russia to Armenia, Vyacheslav Kovalenko,
comments on recent interview by political expert Richard Giragosian
with Arminfo news agency. Here is the full text of his commentary,
as he asked:
"In his recent interview with Arminfo news agency, the head of the
Centre for Regional Studies, Richard Giragosian, has again cast doubt
upon Armenia's decision to join the Customs Union. He said nothing
new. Nevertheless, I think it is important to draw attention on
arguments, which supporters of orientation towards the EU (including
Giragosian) use, saying that the way of further development chosen by
Armenia is wrong. In this context, they separate not only the economic
prospect but also the fact that Armenia lost confidence as a partner
of the western countries. Giragosian regrets that almost four years
of work for signing of the Association Agreement and DCFTA with the
EU which had to be signed in Vilnius in November of the current year,
were in vain. Coming forward from the position of Armenia's patriot,
Giragosian regrets that from now on Brussels will start reducing
its programmes that cost millions EUR, which were earlier foreseen
for making reforms. In such an attitude I see, at least, two moments
which do not enhance Mr Giragosian's "patriotic position". He seems
to forget that not everything is sold in this world for money, that
Armenia is sovereign state which does not accept diktat of the EU, and
its conditions hidden under the pseudo-democratic principle "more for
more". What the EU offered in the form of the association relations,
is not so much good for the national interests of Armenia. Why did
the EU refuse Yerevan's aspiration to preserve its foreign political
course, saying about incompatibility of Armenia's participation in
the European integration and Eurasian processes simultaneously? The
Europeans put the question point-blank" "either-or". which in
fact would mean changing of the political course and canceling of
the allied relations with Russia. Today, Giragosian says quite the
contrary, that just joining the Customs Union will "become a dramatic
changing of Armenia's course". He seems not to be aware that Moscow
but not Brussels accepted both directions (European and Eurasian),
and thought that their simultaneous development is possible as they
replenish each other. Giragosian says nothing about it, but insists
that Russia forced Armenia to refuse the European development course
in order to please its empire ambitions.
Mr. Giragosian is not embarrassed to lie just to help the EU to save
its face. He is not ashamed to call Armenia's position a shame, a
strategic mistake, a lost opportunity. What he wants to say is that
the EU is right in whatever it does, that its policy is a blessing
for Armenia, while the Customs Union is nothing but a mistake for
it. But by saying this he denies Armenia its right to choose.
What has the EU done for Armenia after all? Several millions EUR given
to the country so it could unify the requirements to the products
it makes for export, annual grants of some 200 million EUR, soft
loans the country will have to repay one day and endless promises of
financial assistance and investments. It's not very much, is it?
Kovalenko says that experts, like Mr.Giragosian, blame Russia for
almost all difficulties and problems experienced by Armenia. "There
is no secret in assessment of the trade, economic, and investment
relations between the two countries. Russia is a major foreign trade
partner of Armenia. Its annual investments total 3 bln USD (which is
as much as the USA's investments throughout the period of Armenia's
independence. The private transfers from Russia to Armenia total 3 bln
USD per annum. Russia is the key foreign labor market for Armenia's
citizens. Big Russian investments in energy and communications are
expected in relation to Armenia's decision to join the Customs Union",
he says.
ovalenko thinks that Mr.Giragosian should not frighten Armenia by
hopeless future or loss of opportunities. "European commissioners
realize this and are trying to make adjustments to the work with
Armenia. Giragosian speaks about it frankly, but at the same time,
he editorializes it, stressing that the context of cooperation
will change, new demands will be put forward to the Armenian
Government and the focus will be shifted from the ruling party and
the Government to the opposition. Apparently, this means that the EU
will actively start preparing a "fifth column" inside the country to
trigger anti-governmental sentiments in the civil society and hold
protest actions. Briefly speaking, this will lead to destabilization
of the situation. If it is so, I'd like to recall that almost 80%
of Armenia's citizens consider that the country's accession to the
Customs Union will strengthen the economy and the national security
system of Armenia. This is an important remark and it should make the
Armenian authorities take specific steps to formalize such sentiments
of the overwhelming majority of the citizens and to switch them onto
the track of public movement to support the Eurasian process. One
shouldn't do such things half-way".
by Marianna Lazarian
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=B3598AF0-30E9-11E3-9AC70EB7C0D21663
Wednesday, October 9, 17:50
The former ambassador of Russia to Armenia, Vyacheslav Kovalenko,
comments on recent interview by political expert Richard Giragosian
with Arminfo news agency. Here is the full text of his commentary,
as he asked:
"In his recent interview with Arminfo news agency, the head of the
Centre for Regional Studies, Richard Giragosian, has again cast doubt
upon Armenia's decision to join the Customs Union. He said nothing
new. Nevertheless, I think it is important to draw attention on
arguments, which supporters of orientation towards the EU (including
Giragosian) use, saying that the way of further development chosen by
Armenia is wrong. In this context, they separate not only the economic
prospect but also the fact that Armenia lost confidence as a partner
of the western countries. Giragosian regrets that almost four years
of work for signing of the Association Agreement and DCFTA with the
EU which had to be signed in Vilnius in November of the current year,
were in vain. Coming forward from the position of Armenia's patriot,
Giragosian regrets that from now on Brussels will start reducing
its programmes that cost millions EUR, which were earlier foreseen
for making reforms. In such an attitude I see, at least, two moments
which do not enhance Mr Giragosian's "patriotic position". He seems
to forget that not everything is sold in this world for money, that
Armenia is sovereign state which does not accept diktat of the EU, and
its conditions hidden under the pseudo-democratic principle "more for
more". What the EU offered in the form of the association relations,
is not so much good for the national interests of Armenia. Why did
the EU refuse Yerevan's aspiration to preserve its foreign political
course, saying about incompatibility of Armenia's participation in
the European integration and Eurasian processes simultaneously? The
Europeans put the question point-blank" "either-or". which in
fact would mean changing of the political course and canceling of
the allied relations with Russia. Today, Giragosian says quite the
contrary, that just joining the Customs Union will "become a dramatic
changing of Armenia's course". He seems not to be aware that Moscow
but not Brussels accepted both directions (European and Eurasian),
and thought that their simultaneous development is possible as they
replenish each other. Giragosian says nothing about it, but insists
that Russia forced Armenia to refuse the European development course
in order to please its empire ambitions.
Mr. Giragosian is not embarrassed to lie just to help the EU to save
its face. He is not ashamed to call Armenia's position a shame, a
strategic mistake, a lost opportunity. What he wants to say is that
the EU is right in whatever it does, that its policy is a blessing
for Armenia, while the Customs Union is nothing but a mistake for
it. But by saying this he denies Armenia its right to choose.
What has the EU done for Armenia after all? Several millions EUR given
to the country so it could unify the requirements to the products
it makes for export, annual grants of some 200 million EUR, soft
loans the country will have to repay one day and endless promises of
financial assistance and investments. It's not very much, is it?
Kovalenko says that experts, like Mr.Giragosian, blame Russia for
almost all difficulties and problems experienced by Armenia. "There
is no secret in assessment of the trade, economic, and investment
relations between the two countries. Russia is a major foreign trade
partner of Armenia. Its annual investments total 3 bln USD (which is
as much as the USA's investments throughout the period of Armenia's
independence. The private transfers from Russia to Armenia total 3 bln
USD per annum. Russia is the key foreign labor market for Armenia's
citizens. Big Russian investments in energy and communications are
expected in relation to Armenia's decision to join the Customs Union",
he says.
ovalenko thinks that Mr.Giragosian should not frighten Armenia by
hopeless future or loss of opportunities. "European commissioners
realize this and are trying to make adjustments to the work with
Armenia. Giragosian speaks about it frankly, but at the same time,
he editorializes it, stressing that the context of cooperation
will change, new demands will be put forward to the Armenian
Government and the focus will be shifted from the ruling party and
the Government to the opposition. Apparently, this means that the EU
will actively start preparing a "fifth column" inside the country to
trigger anti-governmental sentiments in the civil society and hold
protest actions. Briefly speaking, this will lead to destabilization
of the situation. If it is so, I'd like to recall that almost 80%
of Armenia's citizens consider that the country's accession to the
Customs Union will strengthen the economy and the national security
system of Armenia. This is an important remark and it should make the
Armenian authorities take specific steps to formalize such sentiments
of the overwhelming majority of the citizens and to switch them onto
the track of public movement to support the Eurasian process. One
shouldn't do such things half-way".