A very remarkable, if not to say, a shocking statement made recently from Russia did not raise the attention in Armenia, which demonstrates official Moscow’s attitude towards Armenia. Chairman of Russian parliament’s upper house, the Federation Council International Affairs Committee, Konstantin Kosachev, recently, first had referred to the Russian-Azerbaijani relations, noting that Azerbaijan is the most important economic and political partner for Russia in the Caucasus region. Kosachev, considering Azerbaijan “the most important economic and political partner” for Russia, called Armenia a “close” partner to Russia. “We are together not only in the CIS, but also in CSTO, and now also in the EaEU. These integration projects with our country receive a very broad support in the Armenian community, these processes are the outcomes of the choice not only by the management, but also the views that exist among the people.” As Kosachev said, however, in contrary to these sentiments, a large number of geopolitical opponents operate in Armenia in the opposite direction. “Nearly 350 NGOs campaigning is conducted against the Eurasian integration and in favor of Armenia’s rapprochement to the EU under the “Eastern Partnership”. We do not consider their work is correct, because we do not consider the question of “either-or” correct. Either you are with us or with them. This position has already destroyed or nearly destroys Ukraine and can destroy any other country, if the question is put directly and persistently. I hope that Armenia will manage to avoid the experience of such choice, and we, Russia and Armenia, will maintain allied attitude and friendship for years and centuries, as it was in the past.”
One gets the impression from the statements made by the Russian ambassador to Armenia, some Russian representatives of “Griboyedov” club, and now Kosachev that the anti-Russian sentiments in Armenia have already become a challenge and a plague for RF. It turns out that our choice in favor of the EaEU is still not enough. First, let’s leave aside the question of which 350 NGOs we are talking about in general. In addition, why it seems to the official Moscow that any NGO or individual in Armenia has no right to express opinion on not so much favorable conditions for Armenia pertaining to Eurasian integration. And then, why the Russian authorities are concerned to the extent that they almost threaten and bring the example of Ukraine. And this is in the event when the overwhelming majority of our society, so to say, has pro-Russian views, moreover, considers that “if not for Russians, we would be lost.” As for Armenia’s political sphere, everything is clear here. The government and the remaining parliamentary forces, with the exception of some parliamentarians, consider the relations with Russia not only of strategic importance, but also are ardent adherers for our country’s membership of the EaEU and consider this process “irreversible”.
Even the rallies conducted in the Freedom Square remind of the series of pleasing the Kremlin with an open text for years in a row. Herein, Ter-Petrosyan’s committed huge work is big. Recall, for instance, the rally of October 17, 2008 when he was declaring that for the sake of his objectives, Serzh Sargsyan is “ready to revise Armenia’s foreign policy concept paper, and instead of maintaining a balance in the relations between Russia and the West, he has gradually deviated toward the side of the West,” he was explaining why “Serzh Sargsyan has made a turn” to the West, and considering it as an existing fact, he was asking, “What made Serge Sargsyan to give up the Russian orientation and turn to the West?” His interview in August 2008 on the occasion of the Russia-Georgia five-day war was also a proof of pleasing Russia. The most recent example was the ANC statement disseminated on the occasion of the death of Boris Nemtsov. “At the same time, the Congress expresses confidence that the relevant authorities would do everything to identify this ugly crime committed purely by the political motives and to bring those responsible to justice, meaning that this crime in addition to being Nemtsov’s personal tragedy, is the heaviest blow to Russia’s international reputation, which cannot but concern its friendly states’ societies.” For comparison, let’s note that the ruling RPA party strongly condemning Nemtsov’s murder and extending condolences to his family and relatives, was limited to it. “We express hope that the Russian law enforcement agencies will identify the perpetrators as soon as possible and will punish them by the full strictness of the law.”
While, the ANC, concerned about Russia’s “international rating”, did not lose the next opportunity to remind about it and presenting its commitment to the Kremlin, although it had to enjoy only Smbat Karakhanyan’s admiring remarks and be limited to receiving subsequent instructions thereof, now, being left alone and struggling against those who hold “Putin’s resignation claim close to their heart”. A question may arise: what relation do they have to each other. Direct. Both the government and once “non-government” have created a fertile ground with their activities in order to submit claims from Russia to Armenia, and the concerns voiced from Armenia be neglected. Permyakov convicted for assassination of the Avetisyan family “is not subject to extradition to Armenia law enforcers as he is a citizen of the Russian Federation,” recently the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office wrote to NA MP Zaruhi Postanjyan. Here is another “worthy” response from Moscow to Armenia.
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Emma GABRIELYAN
