VIKTOR DALLAKIAN: ARMENIA’S RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA BECAME VASSAL

YEREVAN, MARCH 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The relations with Russia are important
but as a result of the policy carried on by the Armenian government
they have turned into “vassal relations.” Viktor Dallakian, Secretary
of NA Ardarutiun (Justice) faction, expressed such an opinion at
the March 25 parliamentary briefing. The MP mentioned that first
of all he means the “Property for Debt” transaction, according to
which the Russian side was obliged to make investments amounting to
more than $107m, which wasn’t done and the enterprises transferred
to the Russian side aren’t working. According to Dallakian, Russia
also plays a negative part in connection with the Iran-Armenia gas
pipeline. According to him, if Armenia was given a possibility of
becoming a transit territory the sums received from this could exceed
the country’s budget twice. But Armenia doesn’t manage this because
of the Russian pressure, which also binds to use the Iranian gas in
Armenia exceptionally for the purpose of producing electricity. The
projects of Russia-Azerbaijan-Iran railway, as well as the project
of foundation of a common electric system with these countries show
that Armenia is again left out of the regional development programs,
Dallakian mentioned. The speaker also expressed anxiety about the
circumstance that the delegations representing Russia in different
international organizations don’t support the Armenian delegations in
connection with the Nagorno Karabakh issue. Viktor Dallakian assured
that the events dedicated to the Year of Russia in Armenia are called
up to keep the balance as events dedicated to the Year of Azerbaijan
are simultaneously being held in Russia.