SENSATIONAL NEWS FROM MOSCOW
Haikazn Ghahriyan, Editor-in-Chief
Comments - 07 April 2015, 11:40
The Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandyan is in Russia for
an official visit. He will negotiate with his Russian counterpart
Sergey Lavrov.
The message of the Russian MFA includes an interesting statement:
"Efficient cooperation has been established between Moscow and Yerevan
on main global and regional issues, the positions of the states on
the majority of issues are either close or coincide. We expect that
the visit of the Armenian minister of foreign affairs will become
an important landmark for further development of bilateral foreign
policy dialogue, serve the strengthening of the Russian-Armenian
allied partnership."
In fact, for the first time it is established that there are issues
on which the positions of Armenia and Russia do not coincide. This
is a normal situation for relations between any countries, of course,
but in the case of Armenia and Russia this acquires a special meaning.
The point is that so far it has been announced by Russian and Armenian
official and non-official circles that there are no issues between the
two countries. And policy is based on this "principle". However, there
were problems, and the Armenian-Russian relationship was unilateral -
Armenia carried out Russia's political requirements.
In addition, the problems are more serious than they may seem, even
though attempts are made to hide them behind assertions of friendship,
even though the governments of two countries are "coalesced".
The problem is that the vital interests of Armenia and Russia do not
coincide and they are opposite. This is an objective situation and
it is impossible to avoid it as it was so far.
However, this situation cannot last long. Significant transformations
are taking place in the world, and the South Caucasus is in the focus.
After a possible deal between the West and Iran the situation will
change in our region and the countries will have to react not to
appear in the margin of international politics.
This is one of the issues which will be a real trial for the
Armenian-Russian relations. While the Iran-West normalization is not
in line with the policy of the current government of Russia, it is a
real chance for Armenia to assume an international role and resolve
its own problems.
This is one of the issues, there are other issues as well, for example,
Karabakh, energy, the Near East and so on.
A serious and constructive policy dialogue between Armenia and Russia
has matured. The two countries need each other, Russia more than
Armenia. If the Armenian-Russian relations are further not based
on equality, the sides will eventually fail their foreign policy
and interests.
Has Moscow realized that the policy of vassalization of Armenia hits
Russia back like boomerang?
Before leaving for Moscow Nalbandyan held an interview with the
Russia-based International Policy Magazine and made another interesting
statement: "Armenia and Russia are tied with allied cooperation. You
cannot be allies in one sphere and not be such in other matters."
The statements of the Russian foreign ministry and the Armenian
foreign minister could be interpreted from two points of view. On
the one hand, they may indicate the acknowledgement of problems in
the Armenian-Russian relations and intention to start constructive
negotiations. On the other hand, it may mean perpetuation of
the existing policy with a tougher intention of "elimination of
disagreements", i.e. complete isolation of Armenia.
Which path will Moscow and Yerevan choose? At least, it was
officially announced for the first time that there are issues in the
Armenian-Russian relations, and it means that the solution is close.
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/comments/view/33889
From: Baghdasarian
Haikazn Ghahriyan, Editor-in-Chief
Comments - 07 April 2015, 11:40
The Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandyan is in Russia for
an official visit. He will negotiate with his Russian counterpart
Sergey Lavrov.
The message of the Russian MFA includes an interesting statement:
"Efficient cooperation has been established between Moscow and Yerevan
on main global and regional issues, the positions of the states on
the majority of issues are either close or coincide. We expect that
the visit of the Armenian minister of foreign affairs will become
an important landmark for further development of bilateral foreign
policy dialogue, serve the strengthening of the Russian-Armenian
allied partnership."
In fact, for the first time it is established that there are issues
on which the positions of Armenia and Russia do not coincide. This
is a normal situation for relations between any countries, of course,
but in the case of Armenia and Russia this acquires a special meaning.
The point is that so far it has been announced by Russian and Armenian
official and non-official circles that there are no issues between the
two countries. And policy is based on this "principle". However, there
were problems, and the Armenian-Russian relationship was unilateral -
Armenia carried out Russia's political requirements.
In addition, the problems are more serious than they may seem, even
though attempts are made to hide them behind assertions of friendship,
even though the governments of two countries are "coalesced".
The problem is that the vital interests of Armenia and Russia do not
coincide and they are opposite. This is an objective situation and
it is impossible to avoid it as it was so far.
However, this situation cannot last long. Significant transformations
are taking place in the world, and the South Caucasus is in the focus.
After a possible deal between the West and Iran the situation will
change in our region and the countries will have to react not to
appear in the margin of international politics.
This is one of the issues which will be a real trial for the
Armenian-Russian relations. While the Iran-West normalization is not
in line with the policy of the current government of Russia, it is a
real chance for Armenia to assume an international role and resolve
its own problems.
This is one of the issues, there are other issues as well, for example,
Karabakh, energy, the Near East and so on.
A serious and constructive policy dialogue between Armenia and Russia
has matured. The two countries need each other, Russia more than
Armenia. If the Armenian-Russian relations are further not based
on equality, the sides will eventually fail their foreign policy
and interests.
Has Moscow realized that the policy of vassalization of Armenia hits
Russia back like boomerang?
Before leaving for Moscow Nalbandyan held an interview with the
Russia-based International Policy Magazine and made another interesting
statement: "Armenia and Russia are tied with allied cooperation. You
cannot be allies in one sphere and not be such in other matters."
The statements of the Russian foreign ministry and the Armenian
foreign minister could be interpreted from two points of view. On
the one hand, they may indicate the acknowledgement of problems in
the Armenian-Russian relations and intention to start constructive
negotiations. On the other hand, it may mean perpetuation of
the existing policy with a tougher intention of "elimination of
disagreements", i.e. complete isolation of Armenia.
Which path will Moscow and Yerevan choose? At least, it was
officially announced for the first time that there are issues in the
Armenian-Russian relations, and it means that the solution is close.
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/comments/view/33889
From: Baghdasarian