Putinophrenia or Eurasian Marasmus
Three years ago on these very days Armenia was living with expectations for Europeanization. Three years ago on these very days Armenia’s all officials and those pretending to become, not giving turn to one another, were stating that the only and irreplaceable way of Armenia’s development is integration with Europe. Three years ago on these very days for all the officials and those pretending to become the most civilized of civilizations, was the European one, the best painter of all painters—Picasso, the best thinker of all thinkers— Nietzsche, the best singer of all singers—Pavarotti. Partially—even Elton John.
As at that time Armenia’s authorities were about to sign the Agreement on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the European Union (EU), and as the authorities have decided so, even for the most traditional Elton John, who married his friend, has become acceptable recently.
Three years ago on these very days Armenia’s opposition wasn’t having rest, like it has now, but was restless and was preparing for another mighty rally. It was getting prepared, threatening to realize another season of regime change, and that threat was reaching not only and not so much to the Armenian audience but to respective circles, organizations and coordinators in Moscow, following Armenia’s European association.
Three years ago on these very days very few might think, or couldn’t have thought that only a month later—3 September 2013 Armenia would state on becoming a member to the Customs Union. Nobody could have thought as Armenia’s the then PM was about to write a doctoral thesis on impossibility of becoming a Customs Union member without a common border. Other officials were praising the irreplaceability of Armenia’s European association.
However, almost three years ago—on September 3, it was stated that Armenia is involving in the Customs Union. It was stated without any articulate reasoning and explanation. Whether articulate or not, it was stated, that Armenia was becoming a Customs Union member to raise security. Not only of Armenia, but also of Karabakh. It was stated with such a confidence and pathos, that it seemed security of not only Nagorno, but also foothills and plains Karabakh. It was also stated that besides raising the security level, that of Armenia’s economic competitiveness will be raised as well, with unprecedented speed and quantity. Not more or less, on the level of 170 million market.
It was stated with such colors that almost everyone believed that no more Russian or Tatar, Tajik and, moreover, Kyrgyz, won’t eat other cucumber but the Armenian, won’t drink any other alcoholic drink but Armenian brandy, and generally, Eurasian space will become an Armenian land. And maybe for that very reason three years ago on these very days any resignation wasn’t submitted, no apologies were heard, the society wasn’t informed on any official, appearing in self-blame or depression.
Just three years were demanded to get convinced that membership to Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) has rolled Armenia back for 3 or 30 years. Only 3 years were enough to get convinced that the security and cucumber market promised by EEU, was a myth.
Only three years were enough to get convinced that any Kyrgyz, however, won’t do hara-kiri for Armenian cucumber. Regarding security, the cucumber has grown upside down, i.e. instead of security Armenia, and by Armenia Karabakh as well, received what is contrary to security—threat. Of unprecedented high level. Almost as unprecedented as Armenia’s economic growth should have been in Eurasian market. However, security became a war, and the growth— a collapse.
Three years ago for those considering European association as Armenia’s only way of development, the best painter of all painters wasn’t Malevich any more, but Putin’s personal operator, the best thinker of al thinkers—Kiselyov, the best singer of all singers—Kobzon, and naturally, not Moiseev.
Three years ago on these very days for those considering European association as Armenia’s only way of development and particularly those, who considered and consider that without a common border the state can’t be involved in the Customs Union, today are busy with creative and constructive work in EEU executive or other bodies.
Due to them and others, not due to, but because of them Armenia appeared in such a conglomerate, where those appearing aren’t a state any more, at least through internal content. And states without internal content, which are non-states, basically don’t have borders. As the one represented as a border isn’t a border, but a hedge of a military unit of a country, which capitulated the other state.
By Garnik Gevorgyan
