Upcoming Armenian-Azerbaijani presidential meeting: no optimism amid Azerbaijan’s counterproductive policy – Armenian politician

Armenian-Russian relations were dismantled long ago, Karapet Rubinyan, former vice-speaker of Armenia’s Parliament, told Tert.am.

He has no positive expectations about an Armenian-Azerbaijani presidential meeting, with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s participation, expected to take place this month. Neither Russia with its Kazan plan nor Azerbaijan’s counterproductive position or lukewarm officials in charge of Armenia’s foreign policy inspires any optimism.

Mr Rubinyan, what is your opinion of the growing anti-Russian sentiments in Armenia after the four-day hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh, with respect to a number of issues? Are there any objective reasons? Could the anti-Russian sentiments affect the Armenian-Russian relations?

I do not see any anti-Russian sentiments in Armenia. There is growing discontent with Putin’s Russia and its neocolonial policy. At first, it was the politicized part of Armenia’s society that responded to Russia’s regress in democracy with simultaneously growing imperial appetite. Later, however, rapid developments, forcing Armenia into joining the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), annexation of the Crimea and punitive actions against Ukraine showed that the Kremlin posed a serious threat to the civilized world. I think it is obvious that it is the overwhelming desire for colonization that accounts for Russia’s policy in the South Caucasus, which became evident during what we call a four-day war. In Armenia, I became clear to everyone that the Kremlin poses a threat not only to Nagorno-Karabakh but also to all the Armenians’ existence in their homeland, Armenia.

Our authorities’ unworthy foreign policy has allowed Russian political elite to think that Armenian have nothing to do but put up with any humiliation. So they view any steps to defend our national interests as anti-Russian sentiments.

And Armenian-Russian relations were dismantled long ago – chiefly because of the Kremlin’s steps. Only an incurable optimist can consider the relations equal and mutually beneficial.

A second Armenian-Azerbaijani presidential meeting is expected to take place, with the Russian president’s participation. What are your expectations about the meeting? Will it produce any results?

I have no positive expectations. Neither Russia with its Kazan plan nor Azerbaijan’s counterproductive position or lukewarm officials in charge of Armenia’s foreign policy inspires any optimism.

The previous meeting resulted in a number of agreements, which, however, have not been put into practice. The plans to introduce investigative mechanisms - one of the preconditions set by Armenia’s authorities - have not been realized either. And no preconditions have been set prior to a second meeting. Should Armenia agree to negotiations?

Armenia must become stronger. Armenia needs real and serious changes. Armenia must at any cost be returned to the way to democratic development and liberalized economy. As long as no steps have been made and our country remains under the Kremlin puppets’ control, we are going to hear statements that have nothing in common with reality and reach bitter circumstances. It is not u to us to decide for or against negotiations.