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Analysis: 'Odd' Armenian vote on anti-Russian resolution at PACE
Analysis | 30.01.15 | 10:47
By Naira Hayrumyan
ArmeniaNow correspondent
On January 28, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE) adopted a resolution on Ukraine, one of the points of which was
stripping the Russian delegation of its voting rights at the
Strasbourg-based body.
The Armenian delegation, on the whole, abstained in the vote on the
resolution, even though in the point-by-point vote it voted against
depriving Russia of its rights at the PACE.
This behavior of Armenia was a little odd if not a 'nonsense', because
for some time now official Yerevan not only has supported Russia in
all areas of foreign policy, but, according to some experts, has even
been its "second voice". Thus, for example, last year Armenia was
among only 11 nations, most of them believed to be "rogue states",
that voted against a UN resolution condemning the annexation of the
Crimea by Russia.
Russia is exposed to tough sanctions from the West because of its
position in the Ukraine crisis. The sanctions involve not only
economic, financial and technological restrictions, but also political
isolation. In particular, Russia is deprived of its voting rights at
the PACE, NATO and a number of other organizations have suspended
their cooperation with Moscow.
Armenia, which publicly and privately coordinates its foreign policy
with Russia, was in a difficult situation. Excessive support for
Russia could lead to a situation in which Armenia itself would be in
isolation and deprived of the support that it now gets from Western
nations.
For now the West "understands" the heavy dependence of Armenia on
Russia. In particular, during a joint press conference in Berlin with
visiting Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev earlier in January German
Chancellor Angela Merkel confirmed that no sanctions are being
prepared against Armenia. Answering the question of an Azerbaijani
journalist about why no sanctions are imposed against Armenia which is
an ally of Russia and is also engaged in "occupying" actions, the
German leader said, evasively, that although Armenia coordinates some
steps with Russia, there will be no sanctions against this country.
The Armenian delegation to the PACE went to Strasbourg not in full
membership - representatives of the Prosperous Armenia Party and the
Armenian National Congress, which do not hide their pro-Eurasian
orientation, said they were sick and stayed in Armenia. Those who
abstained during the vote on the anti-Russian resolution were
representatives of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia and the
Orinats Yerkir Party. And it allowed many in Armenia to argue that the
ruling party in Armenia, despite the country's joining the Russian-led
Eurasian Economic Union, continues a pro-Western course.
It is remarkable that Armenia, despite its close relationship with
Russia, continues active cooperation with NATO and also intends to
deepen its relations with Europe. After a meeting with Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian earlier this month, EU Commissioner
for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Johannes Hahn said
that the political part of the Association Agreement between Armenia
and the European Union was being prepared for signing. This signing
may happen on May 22 during the next Eastern Partnership summit in
Riga, Latvia.
http://armenianow.com/commentary/analysis/60207/armenia_pace_vote_russia
Analysis | 30.01.15 | 10:47
By Naira Hayrumyan
ArmeniaNow correspondent
On January 28, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE) adopted a resolution on Ukraine, one of the points of which was
stripping the Russian delegation of its voting rights at the
Strasbourg-based body.
The Armenian delegation, on the whole, abstained in the vote on the
resolution, even though in the point-by-point vote it voted against
depriving Russia of its rights at the PACE.
This behavior of Armenia was a little odd if not a 'nonsense', because
for some time now official Yerevan not only has supported Russia in
all areas of foreign policy, but, according to some experts, has even
been its "second voice". Thus, for example, last year Armenia was
among only 11 nations, most of them believed to be "rogue states",
that voted against a UN resolution condemning the annexation of the
Crimea by Russia.
Russia is exposed to tough sanctions from the West because of its
position in the Ukraine crisis. The sanctions involve not only
economic, financial and technological restrictions, but also political
isolation. In particular, Russia is deprived of its voting rights at
the PACE, NATO and a number of other organizations have suspended
their cooperation with Moscow.
Armenia, which publicly and privately coordinates its foreign policy
with Russia, was in a difficult situation. Excessive support for
Russia could lead to a situation in which Armenia itself would be in
isolation and deprived of the support that it now gets from Western
nations.
For now the West "understands" the heavy dependence of Armenia on
Russia. In particular, during a joint press conference in Berlin with
visiting Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev earlier in January German
Chancellor Angela Merkel confirmed that no sanctions are being
prepared against Armenia. Answering the question of an Azerbaijani
journalist about why no sanctions are imposed against Armenia which is
an ally of Russia and is also engaged in "occupying" actions, the
German leader said, evasively, that although Armenia coordinates some
steps with Russia, there will be no sanctions against this country.
The Armenian delegation to the PACE went to Strasbourg not in full
membership - representatives of the Prosperous Armenia Party and the
Armenian National Congress, which do not hide their pro-Eurasian
orientation, said they were sick and stayed in Armenia. Those who
abstained during the vote on the anti-Russian resolution were
representatives of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia and the
Orinats Yerkir Party. And it allowed many in Armenia to argue that the
ruling party in Armenia, despite the country's joining the Russian-led
Eurasian Economic Union, continues a pro-Western course.
It is remarkable that Armenia, despite its close relationship with
Russia, continues active cooperation with NATO and also intends to
deepen its relations with Europe. After a meeting with Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian earlier this month, EU Commissioner
for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Johannes Hahn said
that the political part of the Association Agreement between Armenia
and the European Union was being prepared for signing. This signing
may happen on May 22 during the next Eastern Partnership summit in
Riga, Latvia.
http://armenianow.com/commentary/analysis/60207/armenia_pace_vote_russia