Expert predicts growing regional role for Armenia
Ruben Safrastyan, the head of the Institute of Oriental Studies, an affiliation of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, predicted that Armenia’s role across the region will increase next year.
He said the increase is primarily related to the Armenian revolution that not only did change Armenia’s elite, but began also creating a new image of the country, which is much more positive than it was before.
According to Safrastyan, in the modern world, the questions related to the image of a country, its identification as a unit on a global scale are beginning to play an increasing role. He also pointed to the growing role of another factor that contributes to the strengthening of Armenia’s position.
"The Armenian-Russian military and political cooperation will be playing an ever-increasing role, which now plays a stabilizing role in the region. Based on an analysis of the events taking place in the Middle East, I think we can expect this role to increase," said Safrastyan.
At the same time, he noted that the coming year will be special in terms of the impact on the region of extra-regional forces.
"In particular, I think, the region will be influenced by the US policy towards Iran. The US will try to impose those sanctions it slapped on Iran, also on the regional countries. This will create some tension in the region," said Safrastyan. -0-