The Armenia-Russia air defense joint agreement in the framework of Russia’s geopolitical interests
RA NA special session passed the controversial agreement on “The establishment of a Combined Regional Air Defense System in the Caucasian Collective Security Region”. There are serious concerns that this agreement is formed against NATO.
During the online discussion organized by the “Region” Center under the Security Challenges in the South Caucasus and NATO-2016 program, “Aravot” asked former ambassador of Georgia to the United States, Vice President of the Atlantic Council, Batu Kutelia, whether the ratification of this agreement by Armenia will not harm the Armenia-NATO relations, Batu Kutelia replied, “The Russia-Armenia Air defense system cannot be viewed as a threat to NATO. Armenia like any other sovereign country is free to choose its partners, the scope of relations and the level of cooperation with them. So as any country is free to choose its own methods of defense.” The former ambassador stressed, “NATO has no plans to attack or violate the airspace of Armenia; hence, this joint air defense mechanism cannot be viewed as a measure against NATO unless the sides, i.e. Armenia and Russia, had announced it.” Speaking about the consequences, Batu Kutelia noted that in this case, they might be long-term and short-term.
The other important event that refers to the Armenia-NATO relations is the upcoming NATO Summit in Warsaw on July 8-9. To our questions of whether we should expect an earmarked serious criticism in the summit addressed to Azerbaijan in terms of unleashing a war on the Karabakh-Azerbaijan border, the former ambassador of Georgia to the US replied, “The countries cooperating under the NATO are in favor of the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict. This problem is discussed in the framework of the OSCE, and therefore NATO, as a rule, rests on the OSCE decisions.”
Referring to Armenia’s possibilities of an alternative to the Russian security system, the former ambassador made predictions, saying, “In the long run, Armenia will need to have a wider space in the selection of its defense and security policy. And as in any democratic country, such a choice should be reinforced by a strong public opinion.” Konrad Zasztowt, an analyst for Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM), has another opinion about Armenia’s alternatives to available in the security system. The analyst noted on this, “In such countries like Armenia, they are becoming victims of the new situation, which is reminiscent of the Cold War period. Armenia and Azerbaijan are involved in the Karabakh conflict, which negatively affect those countries’ cooperation with NATO and gives a chance to Russia to lead the instability in the region.” The initiative to sign an air defense agreement between Armenia and Russia is viewed by Zasztowt within the framework of Russia’s geopolitical interests, “This is connected not only with the regional security in the Caucasus but also with the creation of military potentials that will contribute to the change in the military relationship in the region. Currently, in the Middle East, Turkey has presented a claim to be Russia’s main competitor. However, the situation will undergo changes in the near future, and in this context, Russia will always try to use Armenia as an important outpost in the South Caucasus.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
“Aravot”
