Putin does not have issues to address with Armenia, which is why he does not come to Armenia

Interview with general-lieutenant Vagharshak Harutyunyan, leader of National Renaissance party, former minister of defense

-It is believed that Russia is imposing pressure on Armenia as a result of Armenia’s move toward an association agreement with the European Union. Do you think that Russia is acting against Armenia?

-No. Russia’s response depends on the content of the agreement to be signed. If there are provisions in the association agreement that would be against Russia’s interests or the provisions of our treaty with Russia, then we will get an adequate response from Russia. From this point of view it is strange that the content of the draft agreement is not published. Such document should be openly discussed; however, apparently our government does not want discussion before signing. It is strange that democratic Europe does not publish the draft either and does not urge Armenia to do so. Even there has been a proposal to hold referendum on this issue, but it was not accepted. It is not about our government only to disclose the content of the agreement as maybe the parties have agreed to keep it confidential till it would be signed.

-Are you more for the European Union or Eurasia Union?

-Armenia should go through the path that brings security, economic development and cultural connections. If the question is ‘either or’ as proposed by EU, then Armenia should weigh pros and cons to see which option is better. Armenia’s diplomacy is clear: Armenia does not have problems with Europe and we should sign a document, which does not enter into contradiction with our strategic ally. If we succeed in signing such document, it will be a diplomatic victory, and if not, it will be a big failure. I think the association agreement will not bring drastic development for Armenia, thus I am more for Eurasia Union. Time will show and we will see that this is the best option. The opinion that by signing the association agreement Armenia is entering in Europe is not true. During the next 50 years Armenia does not have any prospect of becoming EU member.  The association agreement can be viewed as improvement of relations but not integration.

-What can Russia give us that Europe cannot?

-What does Europe give that Russia does not? Europe does not supply us with energy and solid materials for atomic station, does not provide security services and does not create jobs. Who is the one that takes care of the atomic station to work and provide us with 40 percent of the energy? Who is the one that supplies gas?

-Can’t Iranian gas replace the Russian one?

-Iranian gas is supplied via the Russian gas pipes. Iran has connections with Russia, which globally helps Iran. Iran’s gas is not an alternative source as the pipe is owned by Russia. The only other source of gas is Azerbaijan.

-Mr. Harutyunyan, what is the purpose of the recent moves in the Russian foreign policy toward Armenia? I mean the increase of gas price, controversial arms deal with Azerbaijan and humiliation of a citizen of Armenia by bringing him to court in a female’s bathrobe.

-I do not want to answer questions that are not serious. Bringing that man to court in a bathrobe has nothing to do with Armenia-Russia relations. Wasn’t it Putin who announced in Azerbaijan that the conflict of Karabakh was possible to resolve only through peaceful means? Russia is supplying Armenia with arms. What’s the problem then? Does Armenia have a right to implement a complementary policy with Europe and Russia does not have a right to develop closer relations with Azerbaijan? Let’s not forget that every state is acting for its own interests.

-Are you sure that Russia will not reach its goals on the account of Armenia?

-Of course. I am sure, only if we do not make serious foreign policy mistakes. So far nothing has been reached on the account of Armenia, and the proof is the fact that we are the ones that have control over Karabakh now, and there is no war.

-It is believed that Armenia-Russia relations have suffered. Is it the reason why Putin’s promised visit to Armenia did not happen and instead of it he visited Baku?

-Who said that our relations have suffered? Has Armenia or Russia announced about it? Are there any facts? These opinions are baseless for me. Putin left for Baku because he had issues to address with Azerbaijan. He does not have issues with Armenia, which is why he does not come to Armenia. We do not have cultural, military or economic problematic issues with Russia; agreements have been signed and are working. The arms deal does not mean our relations have suffered. Even if Russia has sold weapons worth of 1 bln, it does not change the balance of powers because there have been times that we received more weapons from Russia. We should not be emotional to this issue.

-Do you think Putin’s visit to Russia may have an impact on relations between Armenia and Russia?

-Of course it cannot. If you look at the agreements signed in Baku, you will see that there are no serious agreements that would boost military and strategic cooperation. Second Putin did not visit their pantheon. This is important too. Plus, after Aliyev’s rhetoric concerning Karabakh, Putin said that the conflict could be resolved only through peaceful means. This announcement means that military solution of the issue of the conflict is unacceptable for Russia.

-Russian president’s advisor Sergei Glazev has announced that if Ukraine signs the association agreement with EU, the Customs Union (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan) may restrict the customs policies with Ukraine to the extent of resigning from a common free trade zone with them. Isn’t Russia’s policy intolerant? Does the same expect Armenia?

-If Armenia signs a document which is in contradiction with Russia’s interests and our treaty with them, there will be undesirable consequences such as increase of gas and solid fuel prices, revision of Russia’s policy to the issue of Karabakh conflict, other issues related to Armenia’s defense, and after 2015 Russia will limit the inflow of labour from countries that are not Customs Union members. In fact this list can be longer.

By Tigranouhi Martirosyan