In the end, the official Yerevan responded to the recent announcements from Russia in the direction of Armenia. Nobody is imposing anything on Armenia, Secretary of the RA Security Council Armen Grigoryan announced on February 14. “The West did not impose anything on us. The EU observation mission was the decision of the Armenian side, and I can say that the mission’s arrival is also related to our experience. In May and November 2021, there was an attack on the sovereign territory of Armenia, the same in September 2022, and, taking into account the experience that the existing security guarantees do not work, Armenia invited the EU civilian mission,” he noted.
Considering that the Russian side has been vigorously opposing the “entry” of Western structures into the region for several days now, it can be concluded that the explanations of official Yerevan do not matter for Moscow. In general, why does Yerevan think that Moscow needs explanations? The confrontation between Russia and the West has reached its peak; if in the past Moscow showed a certain tolerance for cooperation between the West and the post-Soviet republics, today they no longer fall behind formalities; they openly and clearly say that they “are against the West ” playing its games” in our sphere of influence”.
Therefore, no matter how justified official Yerevan explains that “the existing security guarantees do not work,” and that is why “Armenia invited the EU civilian mission,” Moscow will not accept it until there are agreements between Moscow and Brussels and between Moscow and Washington. But as of now, there are no hopes for such opportunities. Moreover, Moscow is not only not interested in the official explanations of Yerevan but also in public sentiments. Otherwise, the Russian side would show some restraint. A rather complicated situation has been created. In Armenia, the European institutions voice justified criticism of Azerbaijan, but Russia counters that they will not allow the West to interfere with the problems in the zone of their interests.
For example, the European Parliament recently published a report in which it was recorded that Azerbaijan occupied the sovereign territory of Armenia. The members of the European Parliament claimed that “the latest aggression by Azerbaijan towards Armenia has nothing to do with the long-term conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh”; it is a military attack that “violated the previous attempts to achieve peace and led to the occupation of the sovereign territory of Armenia by Azerbaijani forces.”
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The new report of the European Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee called on Azerbaijan to withdraw its troops from the territory of Armenia, stating that any peace agreement must include the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia, the rights and security of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, and the quick and safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes. Along with the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from the territory of Armenia, the European Parliament addressed this call to the Azerbaijani authorities, strongly condemning the large-scale military attack by Azerbaijan on Armenia in September 2022. Adopting such reports by the EU will have a deterrent effect on Azerbaijan, and this is an unacceptable development for Baku.
That is also a dangerous step for specific groups and circles serving the interests of Azerbaijan in Russia because they realize that this mission can deter Azerbaijan to a certain extent in its actions against Armenia. In the presence of such harsh statements from Moscow, additional statements and assurances from the EU are needed that this mission will be aimed at establishing peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. As far as the actions of official Yerevan are concerned, Armenia is a sovereign state, and maintaining its security is a priority.
However, the current RA authorities should continue to work with the Russian side to defuse the tense atmosphere and take steps to strengthen trust. Moscow and Baku cannot be allowed to oppose the actions of the West, and as a result, new threats to the security of Armenia and Artsakh will appear.
Emma GABRIELYAN
“Aravot” daily, 16.02.2023
