ANALYST REITERATES THAT CRACKDOWN ON CORRUPTION KEY TO WITHSTANDING EXTERNAL CHALLENGES
ARMENPRESS
Aug 21, 2007
YEREVAN, AUGUST 21, ARMENPRESS: A Yerevan-based American-Armenian
political analyst reiterated today that a massive crackdown on
corruption and fresh efforts to consolidate democratic achievements
are key for Armenia, located in a volatile region, to withstand its
external challenges.
The analyst, Richard Giragosian, said Armenia should not underestimate
its significance for Russia and Iran. He further added that Armenia’s
ties with Iran are much more specified and steady than Iran-Azerbaijan
ties, which he described as ‘mixed and restive."
Richard Giragosian reiterated what he said just a week ago that
Turkey’s membership in the EU would benefit Armenia, but he lamented
that Turkey has actually reversed its EU accession drive, saying
Armenian authorities should get prepared to deal with a changing
Turkey.
Giragosian spoke also about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement
saying it will have no future as part of Azerbaijan and accused
officials in Baku for disrupting the peace processes.
Giragosian said Armenia should pay a greater attention to populating
the liberated territories, meaning several Armenian-controlled
territories which surround the administrative borders of
Nagorno-Karabakh.