Zaruhi Postanjyan on creation of a joint air defense system: Russia consistently demonstrates who poses as the adult in the region

It would be naive to expect equal partner relations with Russia through the agreement on Armenia's accession to the Russian air defense system, Zaruhi Postanjyan, MP from the Heritage Party, said at a press conference on June 14. 

"If one considers the latest documents imposed on Armenia by Russia, it becomes obvious that Russia consistently demonstrates who poses as the adult in the region and that it will never surrender its positions in the South Caucasus region," Postanjyan said. She thinks it is simply betrayal to transfer any strategically important right to another state. "We surrender our rights. But we have no right to leave the defense of our country under another state's jurisdiction," the opposition MP said. 

She recalled that Armenia is a member of the CSTO, but this fact did not prevent the Azerbaijani side from shooting at Tavush province of Armenia with impunity. The CSTO not only failed to take any efficient steps to carry out its obligations under the allied agreement or collective security, but it also failed to make specific statements about the death of civilians in Tavush province, she said. "It would be naive to expect equal partner relations between Armenia and Russia through such documents," she said.         

To note, on Dec 23, Defense Ministers of Russia and Armenia - Sergey Shoygu and Seyran Ohanyan - signed an agreement on creation of a joint regional air defense system. The Defense Ministry of Armenia stated that the joint air defense system does not deprive the Armenian air defense system of independence. In addition, Armenia will not provide all its forces to the joint air defense system. The agreement does not apply to the territory of Artsakh and consequently it cannot affect the cooperation between the Armenian and NKR armed forces.