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SARGSYAN, PUTIN TEST STRENGTH OF MILITARY COOPERATION - RUSSIAN PAPER
12:32 03.09.13
The Russian Nezavisimaya Gazeta has addressed the Armenian leader's
upcoming trip to Moscow and his scheduled meeting with President
Vladimir Putin in the context of the current tensions observed in
the two countries' relations.
It says, in particular, that the sides are planning to exchange
views on bilateral cooperation and the integration processes on the
post-Soviet area, focusing also on the security and stability in the
South Caucasus region.
"Serzh Sargsyan's visit is noteworthy as it is taking place against
the backdrop of what certain experts and strategic partners think a
deteriorated relationship between the allies.
"Armenia is preparing to initial the Association Agreement with the
EU in Lithuania in Novemeber.
"Russia has proposed rather tough conditions to the former USSR
states; they have to choose between the unions since combining the
two is impermissible," says the paper.
It further quotes Director of the CIS Institute Konstantin Zatulin
as saying that the Armenian president's visit to Moscow is well-timed.
According to the Russian publication, Sargsyan said that the president
will be in Moscow on September 17 to attend the opening of the biggest
Armenian Apostolic church on the outskirts of the city. Obviously,
there is a need to talk certain points over, adds the paper.
"I don't think the EU Association Agreement will be positive for
Armenia in terms of complicating the relationship with Russia. Armenia
is our ally also in the Commonwealth of Independent States and the
Collective Security Treaty Organization. I think Sargsyan's visit
is well-timed. They two presidents will quite likely discuss why
Armenia has not been invited [to join] the Customs' Union; it isn't
as though the country's leadership had expressed an interest in the
organization. All this has to be discussed in a calm atmosphere,
without any tension," the Russian official has said.
The paper further refers to a remark by Ambassador Trajan Christea, the
head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, who described the Association
Agreement as a good tool enabling the country to implement its
modernization and reforms projects with the EU.
In further comments to the paper, President of the Yerevan Press Club
Boris Navasardyan has called attention to the fact that an associative
membership in the EU is differentiated.
"It has an economic orientation for countries in South Africa. In
the frameworks of Eastern partnership - with countries like Ukraine,
Georgia, Moldova and Armenia - there are political issues implying
the eradication of corruption, democratic society and reforms issues,"
he was quoted as saying.
According to him, Armenia's expectations from the deal vary in range,
with some being attracted by a relaxed visa regime while others
being interested in the free trade area prospect (expected to boost
exports to the European market) or the EU strong mechanisms enabling
better reforms.
Armenian News - Tert.am
12:32 03.09.13
The Russian Nezavisimaya Gazeta has addressed the Armenian leader's
upcoming trip to Moscow and his scheduled meeting with President
Vladimir Putin in the context of the current tensions observed in
the two countries' relations.
It says, in particular, that the sides are planning to exchange
views on bilateral cooperation and the integration processes on the
post-Soviet area, focusing also on the security and stability in the
South Caucasus region.
"Serzh Sargsyan's visit is noteworthy as it is taking place against
the backdrop of what certain experts and strategic partners think a
deteriorated relationship between the allies.
"Armenia is preparing to initial the Association Agreement with the
EU in Lithuania in Novemeber.
"Russia has proposed rather tough conditions to the former USSR
states; they have to choose between the unions since combining the
two is impermissible," says the paper.
It further quotes Director of the CIS Institute Konstantin Zatulin
as saying that the Armenian president's visit to Moscow is well-timed.
According to the Russian publication, Sargsyan said that the president
will be in Moscow on September 17 to attend the opening of the biggest
Armenian Apostolic church on the outskirts of the city. Obviously,
there is a need to talk certain points over, adds the paper.
"I don't think the EU Association Agreement will be positive for
Armenia in terms of complicating the relationship with Russia. Armenia
is our ally also in the Commonwealth of Independent States and the
Collective Security Treaty Organization. I think Sargsyan's visit
is well-timed. They two presidents will quite likely discuss why
Armenia has not been invited [to join] the Customs' Union; it isn't
as though the country's leadership had expressed an interest in the
organization. All this has to be discussed in a calm atmosphere,
without any tension," the Russian official has said.
The paper further refers to a remark by Ambassador Trajan Christea, the
head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, who described the Association
Agreement as a good tool enabling the country to implement its
modernization and reforms projects with the EU.
In further comments to the paper, President of the Yerevan Press Club
Boris Navasardyan has called attention to the fact that an associative
membership in the EU is differentiated.
"It has an economic orientation for countries in South Africa. In
the frameworks of Eastern partnership - with countries like Ukraine,
Georgia, Moldova and Armenia - there are political issues implying
the eradication of corruption, democratic society and reforms issues,"
he was quoted as saying.
According to him, Armenia's expectations from the deal vary in range,
with some being attracted by a relaxed visa regime while others
being interested in the free trade area prospect (expected to boost
exports to the European market) or the EU strong mechanisms enabling
better reforms.
Armenian News - Tert.am