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NO FURTHER THREATS TO ARMENIA IF AZERBAIJAN PRESSURED INTO JOINING EAU - HOVHANNES IGITYAN
19:26 * 04.06.14
In an interview with Tert.am, Hovhannes Igityan, Board member,
Armenian National Congress (ANC) party, spoke of the possibility of
Azerbaijan joining the Eurasian Economic Union (EaU) due to Russia's
"stick and carrot policy," with Nagorno-Karabakh being the "carrot."
Mr Igityan, Russia has invited Azerbaijan to the EaU. Do you think
this is an even more dangerous and unpromising situation for Armenia
or balances out our positions if we join the EaU?
We know about a statement to this effect. But first of all, we should
note the nascent EaU is so bad that states, including Armenia and
Azerbaijan, are pressured into joining it. Secondly, I think that
great pressure has to be exerted on Azerbaijan for it to join the
EaU because its economic policy does not meet the EaU standards. But
even if Azerbaijan is pressured into joining, I do not see any
further threats to Armenia. Rather, it is going to show weak points
in Azerbaijan's economy, and Azerbaijan may lose its reputation in
the civilized world. In this respect, Armenia could even benefit.
But when did Azerbaijan enjoy a good reputation in the civilized
world, given its traditional handover of power from father to son,
authoritarian rules and rigged elections?
If we compare with Armenia, at least during the negotiations over an
Association Agreement with the European Union, Azerbaijan is in a more
favorable situation than Armenia, as Azerbaijan did not for four years
running stated its readiness to join the Deep and Comprehensive Area.
And the EU did not for years waste efforts and money on Azerbaijan.
And Azerbaijan did not make an about-turn in one day. In this respect,
Azerbaijan was more honest than Armenia, pointing out its neutrality
to both the Association Agreement and the Customs Union.
In the context of the stick and carrot policy, can Nagorno-Karabakh
become the "carrot" Azerbaijan could get if it joins the EaU?
Azerbaijan gets "carrots" from Russia now and again - large
supplies of weapons, for example. But I do not think Russia will use
Nagorno-Karabakh as a "carrot" for Azerbaijan because it would be
the last resort in Russia's hands - both for Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Russia will thus always make both the sides dependent.
Armenian News - Tert.am
19:26 * 04.06.14
In an interview with Tert.am, Hovhannes Igityan, Board member,
Armenian National Congress (ANC) party, spoke of the possibility of
Azerbaijan joining the Eurasian Economic Union (EaU) due to Russia's
"stick and carrot policy," with Nagorno-Karabakh being the "carrot."
Mr Igityan, Russia has invited Azerbaijan to the EaU. Do you think
this is an even more dangerous and unpromising situation for Armenia
or balances out our positions if we join the EaU?
We know about a statement to this effect. But first of all, we should
note the nascent EaU is so bad that states, including Armenia and
Azerbaijan, are pressured into joining it. Secondly, I think that
great pressure has to be exerted on Azerbaijan for it to join the
EaU because its economic policy does not meet the EaU standards. But
even if Azerbaijan is pressured into joining, I do not see any
further threats to Armenia. Rather, it is going to show weak points
in Azerbaijan's economy, and Azerbaijan may lose its reputation in
the civilized world. In this respect, Armenia could even benefit.
But when did Azerbaijan enjoy a good reputation in the civilized
world, given its traditional handover of power from father to son,
authoritarian rules and rigged elections?
If we compare with Armenia, at least during the negotiations over an
Association Agreement with the European Union, Azerbaijan is in a more
favorable situation than Armenia, as Azerbaijan did not for four years
running stated its readiness to join the Deep and Comprehensive Area.
And the EU did not for years waste efforts and money on Azerbaijan.
And Azerbaijan did not make an about-turn in one day. In this respect,
Azerbaijan was more honest than Armenia, pointing out its neutrality
to both the Association Agreement and the Customs Union.
In the context of the stick and carrot policy, can Nagorno-Karabakh
become the "carrot" Azerbaijan could get if it joins the EaU?
Azerbaijan gets "carrots" from Russia now and again - large
supplies of weapons, for example. But I do not think Russia will use
Nagorno-Karabakh as a "carrot" for Azerbaijan because it would be
the last resort in Russia's hands - both for Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Russia will thus always make both the sides dependent.
Armenian News - Tert.am