ArmInfo.The opening of the Armenian Embassy in Jerusalem, instead of Tel Aviv, will be a brilliant tactical step, perfectly matching the US recognition of the Golan Heights as part of Israel. An expert at the Washington Institute of defense policy and regional security with emphasis on the Black Sea, South Caucasus and Central Asia, Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Leicester(UK) Eduard Abrahamyan expressed such opinion to ArmInfo.
"Unlike many countries, Armenia has all the necessary grounds for this, the Armenian spiritual and cultural presence in the form of a community and an Armenian quarter in Jerusalem. Such a step will have a serious impact and will make a positive impression on the Israeli political elite. Moreover, the entire Jewish peace, transferring relations between our countries to a new, based on joint values, base, "- he stressed.
In early March, an Armenian delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Grigor Hovhannisyan, visited Israel. During the visit, the opening of the embassy in Israel was discussed with a view to bringing relations to a new, higher level. During the meetings in Jerusalem, the Armenian delegation also discussed organizational issues related to the upcoming visit of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan to Israel.
According to Abrahamyan, Armenia's recognition Golan Heights as part of Israel after USA would be a brilliant tactical step, instantly leveling Washington's dissatisfaction with Yerevan. The discontent, further aggravated by the participation of Armenia in the Syrian adventure of Moscow and Yerevan's intention to organize the transit of gas from Iran, which is under American sanctions, through Gazprom to Georgia.
At the same time, the analyst is not inclined to expect such a step from Yerevan in the near future, hoping that Armenia will at least express neutrality in the upcoming voting on this issue in the UN. According to his forecasts, having voted in this way, Armenia will act in accordance with its own national interests, without prejudice, with the interests of all interested countries. On March 25 US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation recognizing Israeli sovereignty as part of Golan Heights in framework of Washington's talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Syrian Foreign Ministry praised the decision of Trump as blatant. In turn, the European Union and Russia voiced their intention not to recognize the Golan Heights as part of Israel.
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