Catalonian crisis may have an influence on the signing of Armenia-EU Framework Agreement on November 24. Negotiations expert, CM&Partners company senior consultant Artur Martirosyan made some explications on “Negotiation obstacles: Armenia-EU new process” topic: “Intrigue in this situation does not relate to the document, but is connected with the situation, for example – in Catalonia. There are a set of European countries which will try to politicize the situation more than issues relative to territorial integrity recognition in Catalonia. Consequently, these are not bureaucratic issues, but more serious challenges. Everything will be dependent upon what formulations we will have. They are still in the negotiation process.”
Mr. Martirosyan did not exclude – some countries may be interested in the failure of signing the agreement as a result of the negotiations. Pursuant to the expert’s conviction, it is also important what evolvement and solution Catalonian issue will acquire.As regards the Russian factor, Mr. Martirosyan stated that almost everything is agreed upon with that country, however, other issues may occur.
The Head of Caucasus Institute, political scientist, Alexander Iskandaryan is sure – almost everything is agreed upon with Russia principally: “In reality, the Russian side was informed of the content of the agreement before its publication and no serious contradictions were in place. But I repeat myself – nothing is excluded. I think the agreement will be signed on November 24, nevertheless: both sides have agreed upon everything.”
According to the expert, the current situation is different from that of 2013, when it had more ties with Ukraine: “Russia was using Armenia as a truncheon – a tool for the influence over Ukraine. Presently it has no such issue.”
Addressing the growth of tension on the border after Sargsyan-Aliyev meeting, Mr. Martirosyan informed that he sees no shift in strategy by Azerbaijan, the opposite, Azerbaijan hints by using military force on the border that they have new Israeli weapons.
Mr. Iskandaryan does not see a motivation for peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict from Aliyev: “Utilization of sabotage and snipers: this is the Azerbaijani strategy. And no one is going to manage Karabakh conflict.”
Alexander Iskandaryan finds the meeting of the Presidents positive: even if they do not say anything, simply tell jokes to each other, it is better than no contact at all.
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
