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I would like to note that the problem of integration of the South Caucasus states
in the context of the European direction have been discussed in the 90s and the early 2000s
at the level of non-governmental organizations and experts.
These discussions were very interesting and were formalized in some periodicals.
However, they were closed, because financing of the project was shut down.
We cannot say why it happened.
I think that all these discussions couldn’t answer one principle question,
if integration is being carried out within the former Soviet Union space, why is this integration needed?
What can the South Caucasian states offer each other? Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia.
No clear answers were given.
Today we are witnessing a second wave of interest in the Caucasus from Western society, the EU and the USA.
It isn’t a surprise that these discussions have been revived.
Not only the discussions, but also active diplomatic contacts have been revived.
Several days ago the president of Armenia visited Paris,
and on October 6th Nicolas Sarkozy will visit the capitals of the South Caucasus states, including Yerevan.
I don’t remember such frequent mutual visits between top representatives of countries.
As for Russian-Armenian relations,
I would like to draw your attention to the military aspect of security, the military aspect of the relations.
This is admitted by the Armenian side too.
Arslan Ashotovich quoted the speech by Armenia’s President.
Of course, there are some problems in the economy,
but these problems are the consequences of a general situation in the former Soviet space
in the sphere of economic relations.
We can see what is happening between Russia and Ukraine.
Central Asia has problems as well.
As for Armenia, the only major economic facility,
which doesn’t belong to Russia yet, is the Vorotan hydroelectric power station.
If mistakes similar to some unsuccessful projects of Russian-Armenian relations are made,
serious damage can be caused.
Arsen spoke about groups which use facebook and other social networks for conducting their strange actions.
The actions are strange in the context of Russian-Armenian relations
and in the context of development of the Armenian statehood.
For example, they protest against the resettlement programme is implemented by Rossotrudnichestvo
and some structures of Armenia,
but they forget about similar resettlement programmes carried out by the US and the European Union.
Such a policy of double standards gains nothing positive for Armenia
with its difficult social and economic situation and migration problems.
In the context of Russian-Armenian relations,
I would like to mention a new game, which is called the revival of the Armenian-Turkish negotiations.
This process can be launched.
It is not yet clear in what format.
However, it is obvious that Armenian-Turkish relations will be used
as leverage for certain groups in Turkey and Armenia by foreign forces
to destabilize Russian-Armenian relations.
If it is announced that Yerevan and Ankara are close to signing some new agreements
and are ready for certain steps, the question arises:
why is a Russian border patrol needed there?
The question of the reasonableness of the military base in Gyumri appears.
The political importance of the South Caucasus will grow,
and following the Middle East it will become a place of competition between various centers of power.
First of all, it will be the US and the EU, also Russia,
which has its own interests, and regional powers Iran and Turkey.
Moreover, there's a new player, China.
China’s major interests are concentrated in Central Asia,
but the South Caucasus is connected with Central Asia through transport and military transport.
So Russian-Armenian relations are still crucial for stability and security in the region.
They prevent negative scenarios, which do not meet the interests of Russia and Armenia.