Moscow proves that the strategic relations with Armenia do not worth a penny
Ten days after the four-day war, Alexander Chekalin, first deputy chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security, assured that the reason for not adopting the joint statement is procedural, the elaborated text must be first agreed with other committees of the parliament. More than a month has passed from the day, but the defense committees of the parliaments of Armenia and Russia have not adopted the statement. As to what they cannot agree on for one and a half months, those who prefer to be engaged in self-deception, let them ask this question to them.
In fact, official Yerevan fails to receive any Armenophile statement in defense of Armenia not only I the frameworks of the CSTO and EaEU but also the same problem in the Armenian-Russian relations. Certainly, one cannot exclude that eventually an obscure and meaningless statement could be adopted, but perhaps, we would not even get to it. It is already clear that in the context of Armenian-Russian relations, even a statement somehow related to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem could be adopted, which possibly can make Aliyev angry.
Moscow cannot allow such a luxury to itself. Recently, Russia is constantly trying to prove Aliyev how the relations with Azerbaijan are valuable for Moscow. The Russian-Azerbaijani relations after the April war seem to pass a new exam. Russians one more time are trying to prove the Azerbaijani side that the strategic relations with Armenia do not worth a penny.
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Putin about “fraternal peoples’ interests” of Russia and Azerbaijan
A few days ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin had sent a congratulation letter to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the Republic Day, in which he had not spared saying kind words, “Azerbaijan’s achievements in socio-economic, scientific-technical and other spheres are no secret. Your country rightfully enjoys a high reputation in the international arena. Russia-Azerbaijan relations, based on ancient traditions of friendship and good neighborliness, stand at a high level. Explicit political dialogue has been built and mutually beneficial cooperation in various spheres is growing. I am confident that through our joint efforts we will be able to further expand bilateral relations and ensure mutual partnership in the settlement of pressing problems on the regional and international agenda. This corresponds to the interests of the fraternal peoples of our countries.”
One remarkable fact: Putin’s telegram was published on Azerbaijani websites on May 25, and according to APA agency, with the wording of “fundamental interests of fraternal peoples,” but on May 28, the Kremlin’s official website published the re-worded smaller version of the telegram, from which the word “brotherly” was omitted, probably for not instigating the anger of Armenians in vain. Although, it is worth noting that Putin is not speaking about “brotherly relations between the two peoples” for the first time. Further expansion of Russian-Azerbaijani relations, thus, meets Russia’s and Azerbaijan’s “fraternal peoples’ interests” in terms of solving regional issues. And the fact that Azerbaijan as visualized by Putin “enjoys a high reputation in the international arena”, as they say, is a matter of taste.
The arming mediator – Armenia’s partner
The Ambassador of Russia to Azerbaijan, Vladimir Dorokhin’s speech at the meeting with the students recently was an expression of warmth in the relations between Moscow and Baku. He has assured that the events taking place between Russia and Turkey do not have a negative impact on Russian-Azerbaijani relations, “Our cooperation has passed the test. In Azerbaijan, one of my senior interlocutors told me, “We experience more feelings than you for what is going on in the Russian-Turkish relations.” I think he does not exaggerate. It is not only emotionally painful for Azerbaijan to see a conflict between the two countries around it, moreover, Azerbaijan must elaborate correct practical steps. Those of you who have studied history, know that Russian-Turkish relations have always been difficult, there were several wars. It is true that they have reconciled later. I hope that this will happen this time too. It is Turkey’s turn to make a move. It knows what to do.”
Later, Dorokhin considered it his duty to explain that Moscow is not making friendship with Azerbaijan against Armenia. “Armenia has decided to become Russia’s strategic ally and has entered into a deep economic integration with our country. Azerbaijan has chosen a different model, without political and economic commitments. We respect both choices. We do not oppose these countries. Moscow does not make friendship with Azerbaijan against Armenia and vice versa. It also implies to the diaspora of the two countries in Russia. We do not want Russia to become such a place where Armenians and Azerbaijanis will settle scores because of some abuses. Our entire state policy is directed to it. And when people say that Russia treats Azerbaijanis worse than Armenians, these are only emotions. I hope that they will pass away in any case,” said the Ambassador.
Then, Dorokhin referred to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, noting, “The one who says that Russia can resolve the conflict in 15 or 20 minutes is mistaken. Russia can only be a mediator. You will not reach the required result by using pressure on any of the parties. The trust should underlie the basis, which could be established only by your countries,” – said the Ambassador. He added that the events of early April once again showed how dangerous the preserved situation is, “It became even more obvious that there is only one sensible solution: thru peace. The conflicting parties and the international community must draw the right conclusions. Russia is also making its conclusions. It is going to expand the mediation efforts.”
Russia can only be a mediator and oppress Aliyev to put an end to its aggressive behavior, in other words, this was the message of the Russian diplomat. While, for example, arming Aliyev, the Russian side is “always ready”. This is what the mediator Russia’s arming Azerbaijan represents. Moscow does not miss the opportunity to prove that Armenia is Russia’s partner and has partnership relations with Yerevan, while Russia’s partnership with Baku is strategic. Azerbaijan is not such a partner for Russia as Armenia, even though Armenia is in a military-political union with Russia; there are contractual obligations for mutual partnership. This is a fact, with which we should reckon with, without getting into a depression and complexity, as nothing obstructs official Yerevan to reach the partnership relations with Moscow to a level, which will jeopardize the interests of Armenia and Artsakh. The Kremlin is not going to do it instead of us.
EMMA GABRIELYAN
“Aravot” 31.05.2016
