Arminfo.info


 Tuesday, September 17 2024 14:40
Marianna Mkrtchyan

Paris-Yerevan relations irritate Moscow and Baku 

Paris-Yerevan relations irritate Moscow and Baku 

ArmInfo. Relations between Paris and Yerevan have recently become an irritant for the two  states, at the very least. This is how Russian political scientist Sergei Markedonov commented on the visit of French Foreign Minister Stefan Sejourne to Armenia.

The expert stated that Sejourne will soon leave his post and become a  European Commissioner, but did not rule out that he will have to  return to the Armenian direction.

"Relations between Paris and Yerevan have recently become an irritant  for the two countries, at the very least. Moscow sees them as an  attempt by France to compensate for its failures in Africa by  increasing its influence in the post-Soviet space. Not only in  Armenia, by the way. After Yerevan, the second stop on Mr.   Sejourne's "farewell tour" is Chisinau. In addition, France, along  with the EU, the US and NATO, is seen as the most active  representative of the "political West" in promoting the plan for an  Armenian-Azerbaijani peace settlement aimed at minimizing Russia's  influence in the Transcaucasus.

In Baku, any attempts by Yerevan to build some kind of  "alliance-refuge" (whether with Moscow, Paris, or Tehran) are  interpreted as attempts (even if latent), if not of  military-political revenge, then of correcting the status quo that is  advantageous for Azerbaijan," Markedonov believes.

However, he is sure that Sejourne's visit should not be viewed  exclusively in the context of Moscow and Baku's geopolitical phobias  (although there are quite rational grounds for such).

"Mr. the outgoing minister and future European Commissioner arrived  in Yerevan against the backdrop of the recently launched campaign to  collect votes in support of Armenia's membership in the European  Union. The topic is not new. In June, the Armenian parliament held  hearings on the advisability of holding a referendum on the  republic's application to join the "united Europe." The initiators of  this action were representatives of the so-called "Platforms of  Democratic Forces" (Arman Babajanyan, Aram Sargsyan, Tigran  Khzmalyan). Junior partners of Prime Minister Pashinyan, who publicly  voice many of his doubts and secret thoughts, for which the time has  not yet come. The head of the Cabinet himself stated on July 1 that  holding a referendum in Armenia on EU membership would raise  questions that have no answers.  Thus, the maximum program was  postponed.

But on the second day of Sejourne's stay in Yerevan, the minimum  program was launched - a campaign to collect signatures for Armenia's  membership in the EU. Artak Zeynalyan (who held the post of Minister  of Justice for some time) became its plenipotentiary representative.  And if the collectors pass the 50,000 signature level by November 14  (a difficult, but not at all zero task), then the initiative will be  submitted to the National Assembly of the Republic. If the people's  representatives do not approve the bill, then a new collection of  signatures will begin to submit the initiative to a national  referendum. This will require 300,000 signatures. But they can also  support it!", the political scientist added.

According to the expert, de facto it turned out that the high-ranking  visitor, by his appearance in Yerevan, approved the campaign to  promote the European initiative.

At the same time, he does not rule out that the campaign will receive  some support and go further. "In any case, what the head of the  Armenian MFA Ararat Mirzoyan once spoke about in a resonant interview  for "TRT World" has already happened. The topic of European  integration has been introduced into the official political discourse  of the republic. Not as a marginal topic, but one of the key issues,"  Markedonov stated.

At the same time, the expert is sure that the promotion of the  European agenda and its de jure consolidation will automatically  cause a harsh reaction from Moscow, and possibly Baku, but without  any particular objections from Ankara. 

"A new question is how far and where such harshness will lead. Iran  is interested in Armenia as a partner, but it will not help its  "Europeanization". And the burning Middle East will not allow the use  of the entire arsenal of forces and means in the Caucasus direction.  Will the EU help? The question is rhetorical!  Although Monsieur  Sejourne tried to give his answer to it, having told during his visit  to Yerevan about Russia as an obstacle on Armenia's path to  democracy. Creating problems for the Russian Federation in the  Caucasus not for the sake of Armenian national interests, but  instrumentally for the sake of strengthening the "political West" in  the region - this is the most obvious European perspective today. And  not only for the Armenian establishment, but for all its citizens!"  Markedonov believes.  

POST A COMMENT
Input digits     

News
PACE MP: Armenia- next target of expansion by Turkic worldPACE MP: Armenia- next target of expansion by Turkic world
Pashinyan dismisses  country`s customs attache under Armenian embassy  in RussiaPashinyan dismisses  country`s customs attache under Armenian embassy  in Russia
Lawyer: Stepanakert Mayor  being tried for not leaving state property  to the enemyLawyer: Stepanakert Mayor  being tried for not leaving state property  to the enemy
Armenian MFA considers statements in  OIC Istanbul Declaration to be  distorted and one-sidedArmenian MFA considers statements in  OIC Istanbul Declaration to be  distorted and one-sided
ADM Diamonds responds to a report of diamond smuggling from RussiaADM Diamonds responds to a report of diamond smuggling from Russia
Samvel Karapetyan`s daughter: My father is the greatest benefactor in  the modern history of Armenia and Artsakh, and truly a great patriot.Samvel Karapetyan`s daughter: My father is the greatest benefactor in  the modern history of Armenia and Artsakh, and truly a great patriot.
Samvel Karapetyan confirms his lawyer`s statement on refusal to file  an appealSamvel Karapetyan confirms his lawyer`s statement on refusal to file  an appeal
Armenian Prime Minister receives Georgian Interior MinisterArmenian Prime Minister receives Georgian Interior Minister
Georgian MIA Head Delegation visits TsitsernakaberdGeorgian MIA Head Delegation visits Tsitsernakaberd
Samvel Karapetyan`s defense to seek justice in  ECHRSamvel Karapetyan`s defense to seek justice in  ECHR
Businessman Karapetyan emphasizes the significance of restoring ties  between the  Diaspora and the historical homelandBusinessman Karapetyan emphasizes the significance of restoring ties  between the  Diaspora and the historical homeland
Amir Naderi to head Regional Competition Jury of Golden Apricot  International Film FestivalAmir Naderi to head Regional Competition Jury of Golden Apricot  International Film Festival
Revolutionary step in Armenian capital market: Ameriabank gains  direct access to AMXTreader  Trading system for its clientsRevolutionary step in Armenian capital market: Ameriabank gains  direct access to AMXTreader  Trading system for its clients
Georgia`s interior minister to visit Armenia Georgia`s interior minister to visit Armenia 
Armenian MP`s spokesperson refutes Russian media reports Armenian MP`s spokesperson refutes Russian media reports 
Professional training of Police Guards officers enters new stage Professional training of Police Guards officers enters new stage 
Armenia`s defense minister chairs MOD Board meetingArmenia`s defense minister chairs MOD Board meeting
Land adjacent to Yerevan`s TV tower returned to public Land adjacent to Yerevan`s TV tower returned to public 
Armenian FM to visit China Armenian FM to visit China 
ARF reacts to terrorist attack on Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus ARF reacts to terrorist attack on Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus 
Ex-official on actions in case of penetration of radiation from Iran Ex-official on actions in case of penetration of radiation from Iran 
Armenia, Italy sign memorandum of cooperation in protection of people  with disabilities Armenia, Italy sign memorandum of cooperation in protection of people  with disabilities 
Organization of Islamic Cooperation making territorial claims on  Armenia Organization of Islamic Cooperation making territorial claims on  Armenia 
Armenia`s authorities destroyed state`s external security - Samvel  KarapetyanArmenia`s authorities destroyed state`s external security - Samvel  Karapetyan
It is up to Armenia to decide on CSTO membership - RF Deputy FMIt is up to Armenia to decide on CSTO membership - RF Deputy FM
Armenia`s premier `cannot be premier of all Armenians` Armenia`s premier `cannot be premier of all Armenians` 
Armenian FM, vice-president of European Commission hold telephone  talk Armenian FM, vice-president of European Commission hold telephone  talk 
Armenia`s premier invites Turkish president to Armenia next spring Armenia`s premier invites Turkish president to Armenia next spring 
Armenian-Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan issues statementArmenian-Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan issues statement
Turkiye to do its best for regional stability - Recep Erdogan Turkiye to do its best for regional stability - Recep Erdogan 
 Mimino Armenian-Georgian festival to start in Dilijan for the third  time Mimino Armenian-Georgian festival to start in Dilijan for the third  time
Armenian Bar Association: Only 40% of Ombudsman Strategy actions  fully implementedArmenian Bar Association: Only 40% of Ombudsman Strategy actions  fully implemented
Prime Minister of Armenia visits Armenian Surb Astvatsatsin Church  and Blue Mosque in IstanbulPrime Minister of Armenia visits Armenian Surb Astvatsatsin Church  and Blue Mosque in Istanbul
Meeting between Armenian Prime Minister and Turkish President kicks  off  in IstanbulMeeting between Armenian Prime Minister and Turkish President kicks  off  in Istanbul
Pashinyan plans to invite Erdogan to Armenia - AgosPashinyan plans to invite Erdogan to Armenia - Agos
Armenia`s Prime Minister presents goals of his visit to Armenian  community in TurkeyArmenia`s Prime Minister presents goals of his visit to Armenian  community in Turkey
Arrests of opposition figures in ArmeniaArrests of opposition figures in Armenia
Armenian MFA posted on World Refugee Day without mentioning Artsakh  people Armenian MFA posted on World Refugee Day without mentioning Artsakh  people 
Karapetyan was unlawfully detained by a decision of a judge unknown  to the professional community - StatementKarapetyan was unlawfully detained by a decision of a judge unknown  to the professional community - Statement
Oppositionist: The desires of Armenian authorities  are one thing,  while  the expectations of  Azerbaijani- Turkish tandem are quite  anotherOppositionist: The desires of Armenian authorities  are one thing,  while  the expectations of  Azerbaijani- Turkish tandem are quite  another
Oppositionist: Armenian authorities arrested Karapetyan  to prevent  public mobilization around the ChurchOppositionist: Armenian authorities arrested Karapetyan  to prevent  public mobilization around the Church
UK MPs support Swiss peace initiative on Nagorno-KarabakhUK MPs support Swiss peace initiative on Nagorno-Karabakh
Kremlin: Russia  closely following the case of businessman Samvel  KarapetyanKremlin: Russia  closely following the case of businessman Samvel  Karapetyan
Samvel Karapetyan`s defense team appeals court`s  decision Samvel Karapetyan`s defense team appeals court`s  decision 
Ruling party MP on  Samvel Karapetyan`s detention: States should not  interfere in each other`s affairs stateRuling party MP on  Samvel Karapetyan`s detention: States should not  interfere in each other`s affairs state
European Court completed executive supervisory procedures of  decisions in 7 judgements against ArmeniaEuropean Court completed executive supervisory procedures of  decisions in 7 judgements against Armenia
Relatives of missing servicemen block Baghramyan Avenue for third day Relatives of missing servicemen block Baghramyan Avenue for third day 
Polish parliamentary delegation arrives in ArmeniaPolish parliamentary delegation arrives in Armenia
Ankara in control of Armenia-Turkiye `normalization` - Russian expert Ankara in control of Armenia-Turkiye `normalization` - Russian expert 
Armenian government to sponsor transportation of humanitarian cargo  to Syria Armenian government to sponsor transportation of humanitarian cargo  to Syria 
Armenian government approves program to support vulnerable familiesArmenian government approves program to support vulnerable families
Electric Networks Armenia CJSC team expresses its full support to  Samvel KarapetyanElectric Networks Armenia CJSC team expresses its full support to  Samvel Karapetyan
Armenia`s premier arrived in Turkey for working visitArmenia`s premier arrived in Turkey for working visit
Azerbaijani forces shoot at Nerkin Khand village in Armenia`s Syunik Azerbaijani forces shoot at Nerkin Khand village in Armenia`s Syunik 
Principal Conductor of State Symphony Orchestra of Armenia supports  businessman Samvel KarapetyanPrincipal Conductor of State Symphony Orchestra of Armenia supports  businessman Samvel Karapetyan
ID issue delays in past - RA Ministry of Interior ID issue delays in past - RA Ministry of Interior 
Team to protect Artsakh Armenians` rights formed in Abovyan Team to protect Artsakh Armenians` rights formed in Abovyan 
Jury of context program of Golden Apricot festival named Jury of context program of Golden Apricot festival named 
Georgian embassy in Iran advises Georgian nationals to leave Iran via  Armenia Georgian embassy in Iran advises Georgian nationals to leave Iran via  Armenia 
Robert Kocharyan: We are rapidly sliding towards a total dictatorshipRobert Kocharyan: We are rapidly sliding towards a total dictatorship
Read more



Commented