In the opinion of the head of “Heritage” faction Rubik Hakobyan, if the issue of recognizing the independence of Artsakh is not solved positively, we should not hurry to sign the EU Association Agreement or join the Customs Union.
– Mr. Hakobyan, although the text of the Association Agreement with the European Union has not yet been made public, however, already heated debates have begun around initialing of the agreement. What is the position you have?
– As long as the text of the EU’s Association Agreement was not been made public, I do not think that expressing the final position is true. Armenia faces a very responsible choice, on the one hand, the time for signing the EU Association Agreement, on the other hand, the issue of joining the Customs Union. Of course, in both cases, the economic component is very obvious, but these two documents are of political paramount importance, and the two sides are perfectly aware of it. The West understands that by the integration of Armenia to the European structures, the most important issue is resolved, the economic and political influence of Russia is substantially weakening in the region. Finally, Armenia is viewed as the RF’s main ally in the South Caucasus. And the matters with Georgia and Azerbaijan would be more easily resolved in the future in consideration of not only friendly relations of these two countries with Russia. RF also acknowledges that integration of its main ally to Western structures will significantly weaken its influence in the South Caucasus, also in consideration of not smooth relations between Georgia and Azerbaijan. Consequently, Armenia’s joining to any of the geopolitical power centers has a very high price for the sides.
– In this case, in your opinion, what priorities should Armenia be guided in the selection process.
– Look, the majority of EU countries has recognized Kosovo’s independence, but their position to Artsakh is mainly pro-Azerbaijan. And this is in the case when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic as an administrative independent unit is much more established than Kosovo. It is undeniable that dual standard is obvious. The picture is the same in the case of RF. Russia has recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, despite clearly knowing that the Nagorno Karabakh Republic as an independent state unit in all respects does not yield those two republics, if not more. I think it should be an important orientation for us as to who is willing to recognize Karabakh’s independence.
– And, otherwise …
– I do not know whether our representatives have discussed this issue during the negotiations or not, but I think that the issue of recognizing the independence of Karabakh, with its political weight, is equivalent to that signature.
If this issue is not resolved positively, I think we should not rush to sign anything.
Nelly Grigoryan
