Aravot’s interlocutor is Armen Grigoryan, (Co-Founder and) Vice President of the (Yerevan-based) Centre for Policy Studies
– The authorities talk about democracy from all platforms. Do they not manage to negotiate with the EU countries, to convince them that Armenia has finally reached the level of democracy so that visa liberalization can be implemented?
-It can be assumed that some countries are suspicious of the further liberalization process for several reasons, which are not always related to Armenia’s “homework.” Firstly, migration rules are being tightened in general. The EU and Schengen Area members bordering Russia, Belarus, and Turkey are building fences with the tacit consent of EU bodies and larger member states. Misuse of visa liberalization by many citizens of Georgia also contributes to suspicion towards Armenia.
Armen Grigoryan, (Co-Founder and) Vice President of the (Yerevan-based) Centre for Policy Studies
In this context, the statement made by the Polish Embassy in the summer of last year that passengers transiting through Warsaw should have received an airport transit visa can also be considered. In this case, the possibility to enter Mexico in a simplified manner and to cross illegally into the United States – a fairly common practice among citizens of Armenia and Russia recently – may have played a role. This also raises further doubts regarding the possibility of abusing the liberalized mobility opportunities by some persons.
Read also
– What advantages will creating a civilian mission (EUMA) in the territory of Armenia give our state regarding security?
– First of all, the presence of observers reduces the risk of another military escalation and the pressure to create the “Zangezur Corridor”, with the intervention of the well-known “savior” in favor of it. It is no coincidence that Russia, Azerbaijan, and some of Armenian opposition forces are against the EU mission. The issue is, the government must be able to effectively use this opportunity to breathe a little freely for the substantive negotiation process, establish new partnership relations and security format, and implement reforms.
– The activity of the EU civilian mission in Armenia is an essential step from the point of view of recording encroachments against our territorial integrity, but official Moscow is persistently fighting against the EU mission in Armenia; they talk about this topic almost every week. How should the authorities of Armenia act so that Moscow’s opposition does not complicate Armenia’s situation even more?
– In this regard, official Moscow has already openly taken over the protection of Azerbaijan’s interests, which is natural in the conditions of overlapping interests, especially as the probability of failure of joint plans has increased to some extent. Russia’s policy will continue to be dictated by these interests, and meetings in a tripartite Russian-Armenian-Azerbaijani format acceptable to Moscow may lead to new territorial and other losses instead of easing the existing tensions. Further efforts aimed at the internationalization of the problem remain essential, while the risks, particularly economic, should be calculated and explained to society.
– Azerbaijan has been working extensively on the “Western Azerbaijan” initiative recently. They organize discussions, accept statements, and publish “documents.” In the Bundestag, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated: “Recently, we witnessed the presentation of the so-called “Western Azerbaijan” initiative, and the whole idea of that initiative is that the entire territory of Armenia belongs to Azerbaijan, and the capital of Armenia is an Azerbaijani city. We assess that all this, the blocking of the Lachin Corridor, the so-called “Western Azerbaijan” initiative, is a preparation for large-scale aggression against Armenia.” If the prime minister records that Azerbaijan’s goal is new aggression against Armenia, how justified is it to be guided by the “peace” agenda if the real goal of the opposing country is clear? Last Sunday, three police officers were killed due to subversive infiltration of the Azerbaijani armed forces.
– The propaganda of “Western Azerbaijan,” the resettlement of Azerbaijanis and other expansionist propaganda likely follows the logic of getting unilateral concessions from Armenia. But creating of such a terrifying image is also seemingly another invitation to “salvation” through the union state, sent through Azerbaijan for the umpteenth time. As for the subversive infiltration that took place on Sunday, it also fits into the logic of the hybrid war, as a specific response to the efforts of Armenian diplomacy aimed at the internationalization of the problem.
– Will the steps taken by the Armenian authorities after the devastating earthquake in Turkey – sending a rescue service and humanitarian aid – will the visit of Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan to Turkey have any significant impact on the normalization process of Armenia-Turkey relations?
– Some symbolic steps may be taken. Still, the complete settlement of relations will depend on the settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, probably also after the elections to be held in Turkey.
EMMA GABRIELYAN
“Aravot” daily, 10.03.2023
