Eurasian emphasis in Armenia clear, with other focuses still there – Russian expert
29.05.2015,
16:10
Eurasian emphasis is obvious in today’s Armenia, but this does not mean other focuses will be fully closed and forgotten, well-known Russian political analyst and head of regional studies and foreign policy at the Russian State Humanitarian University Sergey Markedonov said on Sputnik-Armenia radio channel.
YEREVAN, May 29. /ARKA/. Eurasian emphasis is obvious in today’s Armenia, but this does not mean other focuses will be fully closed and forgotten, well-known Russian political analyst and head of regional studies and foreign policy at the Russian State Humanitarian University Sergey Markedonov said on Sputnik-Armenia radio channel.
“Many, on the whole, perceive Armenia as a pro-Russian country. But Armenia has a certain way out to Europe as well,” the expert said, as cited by Novosti-Armenia.
Markedonov pointed to the Armenian diaspora factor, particularly the large Armenian communities of France and the US, various lobbying groups with certain influence on governments.
If Armenia gives up its Western direction, the vacuum will be filled in by others, for instance Baku that is an important strategic partner to Europe and is considered by the US as part of their energetic pluralism strategy, Markedonov said.
According to the analyst, Armenia understands that the EU, despite the beautiful phrasing, will not be guaranteeing some pragmatic aspects, the security in particular.
Referring to many European experts on the Caucasus he talked to, Markedonov said the EU has no clear concept of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, whereas Russia guarantees the status quo here and now.
The status quo is bad only if someone has a bright settlement idea acceptable to all parties, the expert said. The status quo can be complained about, but there should be an understanding that the border incidents are not a large-scale war, according to Markedonov.
“In this situation there should be conclusions and choices made sometimes, because politics is the art of the possible,” the analyst said. –0--
“Many, on the whole, perceive Armenia as a pro-Russian country. But Armenia has a certain way out to Europe as well,” the expert said, as cited by Novosti-Armenia.
Markedonov pointed to the Armenian diaspora factor, particularly the large Armenian communities of France and the US, various lobbying groups with certain influence on governments.
If Armenia gives up its Western direction, the vacuum will be filled in by others, for instance Baku that is an important strategic partner to Europe and is considered by the US as part of their energetic pluralism strategy, Markedonov said.
According to the analyst, Armenia understands that the EU, despite the beautiful phrasing, will not be guaranteeing some pragmatic aspects, the security in particular.
Referring to many European experts on the Caucasus he talked to, Markedonov said the EU has no clear concept of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, whereas Russia guarantees the status quo here and now.
The status quo is bad only if someone has a bright settlement idea acceptable to all parties, the expert said. The status quo can be complained about, but there should be an understanding that the border incidents are not a large-scale war, according to Markedonov.
“In this situation there should be conclusions and choices made sometimes, because politics is the art of the possible,” the analyst said. –0--
