ArmInfo. Armenia`s participation in the Summit for Democracy was, beyond doubt, a positive step, which was, first of all, in Armenia`s interests, Alexander Iskandaryan, Director of the Caucasus Institute, told ArmInfo.
"In our country mass media and experts have mostly focused on the fact that Armenia was invited to the Summit. And we have heard varied opinions. Of course, it would be an exaggeration to claim Armenia is an example of democracy to the world. But the fact is that democratic processes are developing in our country in some way or other - in Parliament as well," the expert said.
According to him, participation in international forums, especially in such high-profile events, is of paramount importance for Armenia. And the need for presenting Armenia`s position on global processes, including those involving Armenia`s interests in different aspects, only emphasizes this importance.
In commenting on the first meeting in the 3+3 format in Moscow, Russia, last Friday, Mr Iskandaryan called it a regional format. According to him, after the Moscow meeting between the deputy FMs of Armenia, Russia, Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan the participating states are most likely to discuss regional problems "in a package." Among them are Armenian-Azerbaijani border problems, unblocking of regional trunk lines, and possible removal of Turkish blockade of Armenia.
"In contrast to Tbilisi`s refusal, Yerevan`s consent to participate in the Summit is evidence of our leaders` desire to discuss Armenia`s problems on different platforms. And in the context of the Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting in Brussels scheduled for tomorrow, as well as of the meeting of the five deputy FMs, we can see that all this is not at all restricted to the Moscow talks, with discussions on unblocking of trunk lines, border delimitation and demarcation as part of them," Mr Iskandaryan said.