Zakharova, Air Defense Agreement and Aliyev
The agreement on creating a united air defense system with Russia wasn’t involved in NA extraordinary session held yesterday upon proposal of the Government. Agiotage around it was hinting that, however, an issue was set to ratify the agreement as soon as possible, which was included in the agenda of NA spring last session. Moreover, as Vahram Baghdasaryan, head of RPA faction, stated earlier that its ratification was a precondition for the supply of armaments for USD 200 million. Yesterday Vahram Baghdasaryan, named “urgency” of ratification of the agreement “imagination” of journalists and stated that “we define our deadlines” and “don’t hurry.”Baghdasaryan didn’t clarify what has changed regarding hurrying or not.
Some analysts consider that it refers to Russia’s reflection regarding erection of Garegin Nzhdeh’s statue, namely by the statement of Maria Zakharova, RF MFA official representative, that erection of Nzhdeh’s statue in Yerevan is not clear for Russia. That statement was made exactly a few hours later, pursuant which, in near future Russia will initiate another meeting of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In his turn RA MFA spokesman indirectly accused Russia of participation in a propagandistic wave financed by Azerbaijan, i.e. through various tubes Russia attempts to exert pressure over Armenia to hold the presidential meeting in Russia, and particularly, under Russian umbrella with all its pro-Azerbaijani implications. “168 Hours” attempted to clarify from representatives of Armenia’s political powers to which extent these issues are interrelated.
According to Naira Zohrabyan, head of PAP faction, maybe there is some coincidence and it may be regarded as normal. She considered the statement by RF MFA Speaker rather incomprehensible and unacceptable, “they don’t have the right to give such an assessment about Nzhdeh, who was one of the great thinkers and philosophers. Not a single MFA has the right to make such a statement, which passes borders of correctness, in particular, when it has nothing to do with the reality.” Isn’t this an impetus or a pressure prior to presidential meeting? N.Zohrabyan stated, that we always anticipate, that anyone—Russia, the EU or the USA should protect our interest better than theirs and we don’t protect ours, “However, when you clearly introduce your interests and develop a clear agenda, you always appear in a beneficial condition. Regarding strategic partnership and many other issues Russia’s importance is undoubtable, however, it should never be a blackmail in hands of the Russian side, a card to dictate its conditions and agenda. “She didn’t exclude that elimination of air defense agreement to some extent may be a response to Russian criticism.
Mher Shahgeldyan, secretary of “Rule of Law” party, doesn’t observe immediate liaison in these developments. “Erection of Nzhdeh’s statue is our issue, I don’t consider, that here any connection or influence may be available. They are quite different phenomena, and I don’t consider, that the Russian side had such standpoints on interrelation in politics.”
And Levon Zurabyan, head of ANC faction, mentioned he didn’t want to make predictions on “diplomatic impulses.” Regarding which side is more interested in presidential meeting, he stated, “If it refers peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict, everybody is interested: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, France and the USA. The whole world is interested that the conflict was peacefully settled. And if it pursues some interests regarding the meeting, this is also from the field of predictions.” The issue of including or non-including the issue of ratification of air defense agreement were called by Zurabyan “absurd steps” and instigated to get its explanation from the authorities.
Armen Rustamyan, head of ARF faction, also left the issue to clarification of RPA and the Government, as for criticism directed to Nzhdeh’s statue, he said, “Did they learn about Nzhdeh just now? Didn’t they know how many places were named after Nzhdeh, and that Republican Party of Armenia is exactly a pro-Nzhdeh party?”
Armen Martirosyan, deputy chairman of “Heritage” party, mentioned three reasons regarding air defense agreement, “The agiotage played its role, and secondly, I want to believe that they attempted to show a tooth to Russia, however, frankly speaking, I don’t imagine that the authorities have that courage. Thirdly, I think, it was not essential for Russia to sign that agreement.” A.Martirosyan didn’t link “showing a tooth” with criticism around Nzhdeh’s statue, mentioning that the statue may simply be a reason, but not a radical issue. “When they appoint the president of the Republic to his position they allow him to conclude false deals, then he goes and thanks Putin. Didn’t they know that the party is officially pro-Nzhdeh and bears his ideology? They knew it. Thus, the issue is not Nzhdeh’s statue, but something different.
According to A.Martirosyan, there is no any connection with the presidential meeting as well, “I consider, three circumstances I mentioned may have their role, possibly three of them simultaneously with this or that portion, however, I don’t consider it may have any connection with the meeting. The meeting is a bit different, this agreement was signed last year, and the issue of ratification is set in the National Assembly, and as an international document, the Constitutional court approved it, that’s why it was involved in the National Assembly. For this reason I consider, the issue is within Armenia-Russia relations, as for presidential meeting, certain geo-political agreements are necessary.”
By Gayane Khachatryan
