Competent policy by Armenian authorities may record results towards restriction of Russia-Azerbaijan arms deals: Expert
“Russia can’t ignore complaints of Armenia’s society and authorities, if they express duly,” Dr. Tracey German, military analyst, Deputy Dean of Academic Studies (Research) at the Defense Studies Department of King’s College (London), told 168.am, reflecting to Russia-Azerbaijan arms deals.
Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev stated during the World Economic Forum in Davos that Baku is holding negotiations with Moscow on supply of new armaments as it’s interested in the latest defense systems. “Yes, we are negotiating for new purchases. You know better how the Russian military industry is developed. We are interested mainly in the most contemporary defensive weapons, new designs. This applies both helicopters and defense systems, the entire complex,” he said.
Parallel to this, Armenia received new armaments from Russia after the April war, then developed Armenia-Russia joint troops, within which modernization of Gyumri’s 102nd military base is in process.
Tracey German said currently control towards that process is a rather complicated issue for the Armenian side, although Armenia is Russia’s partner in CSTO and its strategic ally in the South Caucasus. However, in her words, this process has deepened partially due to the policy pursued by Armenia. The European analyst reminded, that during these years Armenia not only didn’t express its discontent to Russia and CSTO on this policy, but also continued to deepen its political and strategic ties with Russia, leaving the impression that arms selling doesn’t bother it.
“By the way, there was such an impression after the April war as well, when Armenia agreed to develop joint troops with Russia, functions of which weren’t publicized for the Armenian society, and prior to that Armenia’s authorities have already rather mildly complained of Russia-Azerbaijan arms deals.
It’s difficult for me to comment, as it turns out that Russia needs Armenia, the latter’s partnership in the military field, the latter’s permits, which it provides to Russia disinterestedly, for that not putting forward claims, meanwhile under current state of affairs, I believe, those claims would have positive implications for the Armenian side. Russia can’t ignore complaints of Armenia’s society and authorities if they are properly expressed.
Vivid proof of this is provision of “Iskanders” to Armenia, which Russia did to save its image in Armenia,” Tracey German said, adding that after recent consents of the Armenian authorities it’ll be even more difficult to put forward claims to Russia so that the latter unconditionally implemented them.
However, according to Dr. German, competent policy by the Armenian authorities in this issue may also record certain results. She considers, in this regard the experience of Belarus may become a precedent for Armenia: by raising issues referring to trade turnover conditions in EEU, Belarus was able to solve them, moreover, it gained bonuses for Russia, as the latter realized the threat of losing that country.
“If there are issues, discontent in bilateral relations, they should be expressed particularly, when there is a clear platform for that, which is CSTO. Armenia may raise this issue in CSTO. I assure, this can’t be ignored, as it’ll lead to CSTO’s final collapse. Naturally, Armenian authorities know better in which fields they can restrict Russia, i.e. in bilateral relations, mild sanctions will also import balance and respect in Armenia-Russia relations,” Tracey German said.
By Araks Martirosyan
