I often hear that our domestic and foreign problems are associated with “orientation.” Quit with the Eurasian Economic Union and access the European Union, quit with the CSTO, access the NATO and everything will be fine. First of all, nobody is waiting for us in the western structure. Secondly, given the unpredictability of Russia, we must be ready for the next collapse of this country, and consequently, have alternatives in mind. But despite all this, the primitive dualism that is based on the “correct” or “wrong” orientation is at least a naïve approach. Do Saddam and Gaddafi have “wrong” orientation? But when their countries try to direct them to the “correct” orientation, did it bring happiness and peace to these countries? In general, who benefited from the “Arab Spring”? Eventually, no one, including the Western organizers of this “Spring”. Only the headache was added. For everybody.
Tell me please, how better is Poroshenko from Yanukovych? Is he less corrupt? Is he more “European”? Has be brought special welfare to the citizens of Ukraine? No, he is the representative of the same post-Soviet “elite” with the same moral and public notions. Yes, Russians have annexed the Crimea, they have provoked a civil war in Lugansk and Donetsk regions which they are directly involved, thus “taking revenge” for changing the orientation. Are rule and order defined in other regions of Ukraine? Is an economic boom reported there?
Therefore, it seems to me that the problem is not the orientation but the values and if you want to know, the ambitions. Being a European, in my understanding, has nothing to do with the EU or NATO, especially, of course, the EaEU and the CSTO. I wish Armenia to have independent courts, separation of powers, freedom of expression and rallies, true and competitive market relations, and voting of the government. Is all this possible without the EU and NATO? I think, yes.
And here comes the issue of ambitions. Does our society, the actively organized part of our citizens have such ambitions? I highly doubt. To speak about the rich and functionaries, you’re welcome. To wait for the saviors, of course. To beg alms from the same rich, as much as you want. However, we do not have the ambitions of having an organized state with certain bases.
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Aram ABRAHAMYAN
