Recently, Swedish chargé d’affaires Morten Enberg made a notable information, which has been talked about for a few months. In his interview with “Freedom” RFE/RL, he noted that the EU and Armenia are planning to include not only political but also the economic component in the upcoming bipartite relations agreement. As to what agreement the European Commission will accept with Armenia, and whether it can happen next week in the Riga EU Eastern Partnership summit or generally this year is still not definite. However, it is clear that official Yerevan present a clear interest in signing a new agreement with the EU, and the EU has realized that even in the presence of Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Union, it is possible to find the borders that will be sufficient for all parties, including Russia.
Swedish diplomat Morten Enberg, however, expressed another quite remarkable thought. He stated that the Yerevan talks discussed about what mediation role Armenia can take in the West-Russia relations. “Now, we have appeared in a difficult situation because of the events in Ukraine. We have discussed what role of constructive mediator Armenian can take within the framework of the Eastern Partnership, at the same time being a member of the Eurasian Economic Union. We hope that within the Eurasian Economic Union, Armenia can take on a constructive role when discussing the Eastern Partnership with Russia to disperse the fears that the Eastern Partnership is directed against Russia, which is not the case.” This is truly an exciting news, which was raised by the European diplomat. In fact, recently, the political directors of the foreign ministries of Poland and Sweden have arrived in Armenia to attend the consultations ahead to the Riga summit. They were received by the authorities of Armenia, and the matter perhaps is about these talks.
As to how realistic this opportunity is, and whether the matter can really get to the point that Armenia would assume the role of a mediator in the Russia-West relations is another question. What is important in this case, as they say, is the emergence of the information. The official Yerevan in the role of a mediator between the West-Russia relations, of course, sounds rather ambitious. Regardless of when, how and under what conditions the West-Russia relations will be normalized in general, expressing willingness to take on the role of a mediator by Armenia can become an important signal first of all for Armenia’s rating, because it implies a confidence towards Armenia, and in its turn, the goal of our state to become a factor.
In addition, it is noteworthy that this statement was voiced by the European diplomat. If Russia evaded highlighting Armenia’s importance, at least on the level of a statement, the EU and the United States, lately, appear to be more at ease in emphasizing Armenia’s importance and the superiority over Azerbaijan, which is pretty much a positive fact. Armenia’s authorities have a lot to do on this. Everything must be done to preserve the positive attitude and the world civilized sentiments towards Armenia. Truly, favorable conditions are opened for Armenia, which were evidently seen still weeks ago prior to the Armenian Genocide Centennial on April 24. Armenia’s positive image was truly affected by the Mess delivered by the Armenian Catholic Church liturgies at the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica on April 12, and the Pope’s well-known speech, the recent attendance of the US Vice President Joe Biden and the US Ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, to the inter-religious prayer held in Washington’s National Cathedral to commemorate the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
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America-based Armenian celebrity Kim Kardashian’s and her family’s first visit to Armenia, «System of a Down» Rock band’s series of concerts dedicated to the centenary of the Armenian Genocide definitely formed a positive background and an atmosphere about Armenia, which should not be left to just pass away. Generally, the geopolitical processes of recent months, particularly the rearrangements in the relations between Russia and the West on the background of the tension, the struggle for power and influence created new opportunities to show more initiative in the region, in terms of appearing with new ideas and projects. It is necessary for the Armenian authorities to display self-dependence.
