News.am

Armenia to have opportunity in choosing new strategy: Expert
17:25 / 10/10/2009

The normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations will positively affect
the situation in the region, Georgian Foundation for Strategic and
International Studies (GFSIS) expert and politician Archil Gegeshidze
stated in the interview with NEWS.am.

The expert supposes that in case of Armenia-Turkey full reconciliation
and border opening the volume of investments will grow, turnover will
increase and economic upturn will be registered in the
region. Meantime, Gegeshidze stated that the West’s empowerment on
Armenia is inevitable: `Russia is obviously concerned over the
situation and taking into account that factor it may cause some
tension.’

As to weakening of Georgia’s influence on Armenia (it is the single
transit country for Armenia) Gegeshidze underlined that Georgia does
not lose this much of the border opening: `Russian gas will be
supplied to Armenia through Georgia. It can lead to unloading of
Georgian ports, but the country will not lose much as a result,’ he
said, adding he does not consider Armenia-Turkey reconciliation is
enough for Karabakh conflict settlement.

According to him, unlike in the past Armenia will heave a choice of
strategic directions. They can decide that western direction and
western democracy model can bring to well-being and stability,
Gegeshidze stated.

The expert considers that western model of democracy does not mean
alienation from Russia. It arouses Russia’s concern, as Russians
interpret it as military-strategic confrontation, the expert
concluded.