“Sargsyan’s proposal will interest Moscow”
During Armenia’s president Sezh Sargsyan’s two-day visit to Moscow special accentuation was made on security issues.
In his article in “Izvestiya”, then in his speech in MGIMO he reflected to Armenia-Russia relations in the field of security. At Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) Armenia’s president criticized CSTO stating, “Contracts should be fully maintained and implemented, and not selectively depend on the situation.”
Sargsyan reminded, “A statement was adopted within the framework of the CSTO back in 2000, where it is clearly enshrined: “Military and political relations between the member states of the Treaty are a priority compared with the military ties and communications with third states, which aren’t a Collective Security Treaty member country.” Armenian president stated that violation of the above-mentioned principle doesn’t contribute to raising the authority of the organization. He believes, agreements should be fully maintained and implemented and not selectively, depending on the situation.
In Russian “Izvestiya” Serzh Sargsyan expressed an opinion that Armenia-Russia cooperation is much bigger: he proposes that Armenia and Russia discussed the issue of establishing a military-industrial joint complex in Gyumri, where the 102nd Russian military base is deployed. That complex, according to Sargsyan may become a platform to establish military-technical cooperation between Armenia’s bordering states and Russia. Referring to NK issue the president stated that Baku should realize that Armenia and the Co-Chairs speak in one language. “War isn’t a way to solve issues, and peace may be reached not through blackmail, but through negotiations,” the president wrote in the article.
Pavel Felgenhauer, Russian military expert, told “168 Hours” that Armenia’s president has repeatedly reflected to CSTO functions, that the president makes correct accentuations, stating that violation of CSTO agreement puts authority of the organization under threat, which currently is taking place with the organization.
In his words, it turns out that CSTO is an integrity of Russia and its partners in the field of bilateral relations, where CSTO member countries aren’t interested in security issues of one another and don’t see interest in them, including Armenia, which can’t be interested in issues of Belarus, Kazakhstan or Russia’s policy in Syria.
“Currently we have such a complicated snapshot. Armenia joined CSTO for Russia, and as Russia’s president said in Dushanbe CSTO was established to eliminate threats to the Middle East and Armenia isn’t included in the framework of these issues, with which CSTO should deal. However, each country has the opportunity to apply to CSTO if necessary, when its borders are endangered, in that case if not Kazakhstan, Belarus, then Russia will have to reflect for the sake of CSTO’s authority and Armenia-Russia strategic relations.
I may explain this in the following way: e.g. NK conflict is a crucial issue for Astana, naturally, Nazarbayev tries to keep the dynamics of its good relations with Azerbaijan, as in Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan relations business interests dominate. For this very reason appointment of a representative from Armenia as CSTO Secretary General is being postponed.
It isn’t excluded that Astana will succeed to block this issue. Moscow also can exert pressure over Astana to please Yerevan, however, Astana is also a very important partner for Russia today on account of Syrian developments, in which Nazarbayev has assumed a special role, thus, Putin won’t offend Nazarbayev for Armenia, but it’ill also attempt not to offend Armenia as well. Basically, Russian authorities have no time to regulate CSTO works,” Felgenhauer said.
Thus, he believes, the Russian side will attempt to mitigate discontent of the Armenian side, by providing some “compensation”. As for Belarus, he considers currently Russia-Belarus relations are in serious crisis within EEU, against the background of which NK conflict and the issue of Armenian candidate isn’t even noticed by Belarus and won’t create obstacles.
According to the expert Armenia’s president appeared with curious proposals for Moscow in “Izvestiya”.
“I consider Russian authorities will be interested in the proposal of Armenian president on account of Russian policy to strengthen southern district, which extends on Russian military base on account of Armenia’s geographical position and importance in Russian security perceptions.
Of course, this proposal has political pretexts as well, by which Armenia’s president expresses his loyalty to the Russian side, proposes to enlarge Armenia-Russia military cooperation.
He hints that although Armenia is going to sign an agreement with the EU, in crucial fields relations with Russia are in top positions and it’ll more deepen willingness. Sargsyan also sends a message to Azerbaijan, that despite Russia-Azerbaijan arms deals, Armenia-Russia military cooperation is more enlarged, which also may become a restraining factor for Azerbaijani relations,” Felgenhauer said.
He considers this proposal by Armenia will be discussed and taken into account. Moreover, he considers it isn’t excluded that such programs had previously existed.
By Araks Martirosyan
