Experts: Armenia squeezed out from all regional events, projects
Successes of neighboring states in regional and local projects caused a wave of indignation in Armenian society. "We are being ignored by everybody"can be heard each and everywhere in this poor South Caucasus nation.
Successes of neighboring states in regional and local projects caused a wave of indignation in Armenian society. "We are being ignored by everybody"- can be heard each and everywhere in this poor South Caucasus nation.
The recent meeting of the Azerbaijani, Russian and Iranian presidents in Baku could not have come at a worse time for Armenia, which is fighting with its political and economic crises.
Back in July, when representatives of railways agencies of Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran met in Baku, Armenia doubted that the cooperation will continue. But now, after the Baku summit of the presidents, the trilateral cooperation between the countries is quite obvious. And Armenia again remained beyond the beneficial project.
The strengthening of relations between the three regional states surely caused resentment in the Armenian society.
Today, Armenia remains outside of all regional projects, confessed Secretary of the Armenian National Congress Aram Manukyan at a press conference on August 23.
A country is independent as far as it has connections and relationships with other countries, particularly its neighbors. “For Armenia these countries are Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia. But, today Armenia is left out of all regional projects, and nothing is expected in the future,” said Manukyan.
Currently, Russia improves relations with Turkey and Iran, as well as forms excellent multilateral cooperation. On the other hand, Azerbaijan and Russia create strong strategic relations. “Our regular ally Iran, now establishes far better relations with Russia, Azerbaijan and Turkey,” Armenian agency NEWS.am reports.
On the background of the expanding regional cooperation, Armenia is left out of all projects. “Due to the current authorities, Armenia became nothing, and Armenia has no influence on these players in order to strengthen its independence. That is the real loss of independence. Today there is no country that would completely support Armenia and its interest,” complained Manukyan.
Meanwhile, the only potential of Armenia on the international trade arena is transit. But this possibility is also limited because of Armenia’s occupation policy.
“Armenia seems to be squeezed out from all regional events and projects,” Armenian economist and former MP Vardan Bostanjyan said earlier. In fact, the current situation in the region is unfavorable for Armenia, the economist confessed.
Another Armenian expert, head of the Committee on Foreign Relations at the Armenian National Congress Party Vladimir Karapetyan acknowledged that the country remains outside of big regional projects.
“In contrast to the projects between Azerbaijan and Iran ,we reached such a “progress” that Armenia has once again been bypassed,” he said in an interview to newspaper Aravot
Back in October 2008, when coming to the presidency, Serzh Sargsyan vowed that in the coming years the Iran-Armenia railway would be set up. He also promised that in a very short time Armenians could witness the all-Armenian Bank and Investment Fund that would fund largescale programs in the country. “Our overarching goal will be Armenia experiencing the rise,” he said. However, nothing of that was implemented during eight years of his presidency in Armenia.
“While Armenians were waiting for a miracle, Azerbaijan together with Russia and Iran realized huge projects, concluded agreements,” Karapetyan said.
He explained the possible reason why neighbors prefer Azerbaijan, and not Armenia: “I think that the issue is not that we have not presented a better offer, and that we are not treated as a reliable partner. Explanation of why a more favorable transit proposal has been suggested to our enemy should come from our government. And we will draw appropriate conclusions, especially if these explanations will not come.”
The continuing aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, its territorial claims to neighboring countries pose serious obstacles to the expansion of regional cooperation. This policy leads to Armenia being locked out of all regional projects.
Azerbaijan has repeatedly announced that as long as Armenia does not put an end to its aggressive policy, its participation in any regional project will be impossible.
Azerbaijan's internationally recognized Nagorno-Karabakh territory became a conflict zone following Armenia's aggression in the early 1990s. As a result of Armenia's armed invasion, 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory fell under Armenia's occupation and over 1 million people turned into refugees and IDPs.