RUSSIAN ANALYSTS UNRUFFLED BY EFFORTS TO MEND ANKARA-YEREVAN TIES

AzerNews weekly
Sept 8 2009
Azerbaijan

08-09-2009 23:29:37 Russia has nothing to lose from the rapprochement
between Turkey and Armenia, an influential Russian analyst has opined.

Mikhail Aleksandrov said the ongoing process of normalizing
ties between the two neighboring countries, which have been
marred by decades of hostility, could lead to the reopening of
the Turkish-Armenian border. The development will bring about new
geopolitical realities to the volatile region. In this case, Georgia
may lose its exclusive significance for Russia in the Caucasus,
because an open border would enable Russia to forge communications
with Armenia through Turkey, the pundit said.

"This could considerably boost the positions of both Russia and
Armenia," Aleksandrov said.

Valeri Yevseyev, another Russian analyst, believes restoring ties
with Turkey will not significantly diminish the role Moscow plays in
the Armenian economy.

"In any case, Russia will retain its indispensability for Armenia,
because, even if the border opens, the [Armenia-Azerbaijan] Upper
(Nagorno) Garabagh conflict will remain unresolved, and Russia`s
military base in Gumri will continue to operate," Yevseyev said.