AZERBAIJAN BECOMES RUSSIA’S NATURAL ALLY

Lragir.am, Armenia
Oct 25 2006

The current Russian and Georgian relations show that Georgia is
escaping the Russian influence and this is inevitable. In this
situation, Azerbaijan becomes Russia’s natural ally in the Caucasus,
stated the leader of the Christian Democratic Union Khosrov Harutiunyan
at the Hayeli Club. He supports his opinion by an analysis which
starts with an explanation of the importance of the Caucasus for
Russia. According to Khosrov Harutiunyan, the Caucasus is important
for Russia for it is a bridge connecting with other regions. In this
context, if it loses Georgia, Azerbaijan becomes the shortest and the
most logical way, concludes the leader of the Christian Democratic
Union.

In this connection he reminds the construction of the North-South
railroad, openly negotiated by Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran. In
addition, it does not occur to any Russian official to invite Armenia,
their strategic partner to these negotiations, Khosrov Harutiunyan
says. "If we continue to refer to Russia as our strategic ally, the
strategic importance of Armenia will not increase. This is the reality,
and we have to accept it and plan our short-term and long-term moves
in this context," says the leader of the Christian Democratic Union.

He thinks that Armenia should move from complementarism to a clear
policy of European integration. "It is impossible to determine the
security of the country by setting up ties with a separate power,
and in this context the European Union, the family of the European
nations is the best environment for the collective security, and the
process of European integration should become a priority for Armenia.

I want to emphasize that instead of complementarism, today there
is every possibility to move from complementarism to Europe without
offending anyone, without encroaching on anyone’s strategic interest,"
says Khosrov Harutiunyan, adding that if he were not convinced that
it is possible, he would not have said that. According to him, it is
only necessary to choose the right tactical stages.