Wednesday, March 18 2015 06:31

  Over
two months have passed since the murder of the Avetisyans' family in Gyumri,
however, the information disseminated by the Russian law-enforcers conducting
the "Permyakov case" is nothing more but regular statements saying
that "Valery Permyakov should serve his sentence in Russia". So,
instead of clearing up the unstable situation, the law-enforcers aggravate it.
Don’t you find it strange? How can you comment on this given the rumors about
possible withdrawal of the Russian 102^nd military base from
Armenia? 

 

I
perfectly realize the seriousness of the crime and the possible consequences. I
remain committed to the world standards and rules when assessing the situation
around the murder of the Armenian family. The international practice shows that
the military servicemen face charges and serve their sentence in the
Motherland. The United States, for instance, has the biggest number of military
bases abroad, and the US servicemen have no calm temper. The issue can be
discussed if one finds at least one case when American servicemen undergo
judicial proceedings in the country where the crime has been committed. In the
contrary case, there is nothing to discuss. Therefore, all the steps being
currently taken by the Russian investigation bodies, as well as the promise to
hold the judicial proceeding in the territory of the Russian base are already a
big gesture of Russia with due regard for the world practice. As regards the
destiny of the 102nd Russian military base, I would not pile up the agony. The
base performs its duties, and one of its key duties is to ensure stability in
the Caucasus. If the situation changes for the better in the coming years and
if one finds the way to diffuse the tension, there will be no need for the
Russian base in the region.

 

The West’s response to the Moscow-Baku
strengthening relations (the matter concerns not only military hardware deals
but also energy projects) is the list of the Azeri officials, who are denied
entry to Western countries. On the other hand, the United States has expressed
willingness to develop relations with Armenia not only in economy but also in
other fields despite the presence of the 102^nd military base in
Gyumri. Can one speak of new trends in the geopolitics of the West and Russia
in the South Caucasus?        

The
world has changed so much that today Russia no longer wants to play the role of
a "milk cow". Yes, Russia has become a pragmatic player on the world
arena. It takes tough and consistent measures when its interests are affected.
The matter concerns Syria, Ukraine and a number of other events in the past few
years. Russia is no longer ready to be engaged in unresponsive charity. Russia
should build its relations with the focus on its own state interests and it
should take even the most unpopular steps if the situation requires. I think
the situation with the South Stream is such a demonstrative step. Bulgaria, the
old "ally" of Russia, has demonstrated its unwillingness to display a
firm stand. Despite its seeming commitment to maintaining the pro-Russian
policy, Serbia also refused to sign a number of agreements with Moscow during
Putin's visit to Belgrade. In such a situation, Moscow's decision on the South
Stream was quite expected. I suppose quite many people should draw relevant
conclusions from that situation. 

 

Has the crisis around Ukraine
strengthened or weakened the superpowers’ positions in the South Caucasus? Has
Ukraine adjusted the positions of the USA, Russia and the EU in the
region?     

 

Yes,
the crisis around Ukraine has adjusted Russia's positions, which have become
tougher. Today Moscow is ready for decisive steps. It is even ready to use
armed forces and does not yield to "arm-twisting". This is also a
signal for all those who want to go along the same path with Moscow. I think it
is high time for those countries to find their position.

 

The
establishment of an actual customs point on the border between Russia and
Belarus has once again revealed the flaws of the Eurasian Economic Union and
the gap between realpolitik and Moscow’s integration projects. Can one say that
Eurasian integration is still relevant?

 

This is the
consequence of the developments around Ukraine and the changes in the global
policy. Unfortunately, Minsk wants to benefit to the fullest extent from the
current hard situation of Moscow.  Today
many products, whose entry to Russia from a number of European countries is
banned, enter Russia via Belarus. There have recently been some confusions
about the Russian oil refining at the Belarusian plants and petroleum
deliveries back to Russia under the guise of solvents and technical fluids.
There have also been other facts of "tactless" behavior of Minsk.
However, it is impossible to ceaselessly display such an attitude to Russia.
Enough's enough. As regards the relevance of the EEU, today Eurasian integration
is topical more than ever. The ideas of revival of the transcontinental
transport corridors like the Great Silk Road and revival of the Russian
Northern Sea Route open grand opportunities. A few years ago, on Armenian media
pages we spoke of Armenia's role in these processes as "the gateway to the
global world". Armenia and Armenian Diaspora can and should become the
Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) economy proxies on the world market.
Unfortunately, we were not heard at that time and we remain unheard now.
However, no think time is left.