People in Armenia and in Karabakh were impatiently waiting for the results of the Scottish independence referendum. Some believe that in case of the positive outcome, the Scottish referendum could be a precedent and a good example for the superpowers. Even people in Karabakh were going to mark the declaration of Scottish independence with great fanfare and celebration. After the recognition by London, people in Armenian expressed a willingness to be one of the first to recognize the independence of Scotland, probably inwardly hoping that our move will be highly appreciated by Scotland and mutually it will recognize the independence of Karabakh. And the Scottish move will become a precedent for others. But alas, more than fifty percent of Scots said “no” to independence. And the precedent dreamed about by a part of Armenians failed, though to be honest, the Scotland’s example could not be a precedent.
However, if not a precedent, then it could be a lesson for Armenia. The main lesson should be the one that the decision to join unions and withdrawal should not be a single-made one, moreover, in one day, but simply to inform people about it in the future and promptly pass to the elaboration of a road map. In 2011, the Scottish National Party after the parliamentary elections promised to hold a referendum on independence, and the central government of the Great Britain promised not to intervene. In 2013, when it was announced about holding a referendum in 2014, the Scottish Government published a 670 -page document entitled “Scotland’s Future”, which detailed the path to becoming an independent state, the means to achieve it, and what is expected to the nation after the independence.
Now, we are getting ready to join the Eurasian Union. Where is the fundamental document to be presented to the people? Where are its political and economic arguments in detail, the advantages and challenges? And most importantly, whether there are the mechanisms with which in the future, if such a desire and a need suddenly arises, Armenia can withdraw from the membership. Whether it will require holding a referendum on independence, there would be other ways… In the Scottish Parliament, the majority holding political party promised and kept the promise of holding a referendum. And even after the negative results of the referendum, surely, they will notify the people in advance about the further steps. I wonder when our government is going to talk to people. Or, only the role of the Statist is attributed to the people, to silently follow the developments and possible precedents. Now, they probably will wait impatiently for Catalonia’s independence referendum, hoping that it might become a precedent for solving some problems.
Karine KALANTARYAN