OPENING OF ARMENIA-TURKISH BORDER WEAKENING RUSSIAN INFLUENCE

The Messenger
April 23 2009
Georgia

Alexander Skakov from the Russian Institute of Strategic Research
thinks that opening the Turkish and Armenian border will hamper
Russian attempts to bring Armenia under its influence.

Today Armenia is under the Russian sphere of influence because it is
confronting Azerbaijan and Turkey. Its connection to the rest of the
world through Georgia is partly blocked and therefore the basis of
its communications is Iran.

The Americans think they can offer Armenia better options and
thus attract it into the US sphere of interest. Skakov says that
if Armenia receives direct access to the Turkish coast, Black
Sea and Mediterranean it will engage in more direct trade with
the West, bypassing Russia. The West will also guarantee Armenia’s
sovereignty. Skakov thinks that after opening the border with Turkey
Armenia will become less dependent on Russia and more on NATO and
the EU.