Yerevan — The second anniversary of blitzkrieg between Russia and Georgia underscores the unresolved geopolitical undercurrents in this region among the seas. Landlocked by the forces of history from the Caspian, the Black and the Mediterranean, Armenia’s pivotal position remains encircled by a neighborhood in strategic turmoil.
The inherent jeopardy flowing from Turkey’s now obviously disingenuous engagement of Armenia, the challenges posed by Azerbaijan’s graduation from its threatening language of war to its launch of a deadly attack in June, and the general escalation of tension across the Caucasus have combined to define the greater region as one at immediate risk of deepening instability.
Against this backdrop of system-wide insecurity, Armenia is now facing a dangerous alignment of outside interests and internal shortcomings.
While Yerevan’s “strategic” relationship with Moscow continues to serve as the bedrock for regional peace and security, the nature of the Armenian-Russian embrace is unduly lopsided.
The asymmetry of the Russian-Armenian relationship is most manifest in the fundamental lack of equal and mutually respectful cooperation.
After all, Armenia’s hosting of the only Russian military base in the area is no simple act of kindness, and must be anchored in a shared regard for each other’s interests.
What is more, the Russian base is the only such facility outside of the Russian Federation where the host country receives neither rent nor reimbursement. Armenia pays for the totality of its costs and expenses. Such a mortgaging of Armenian national security is unacceptable and demands immediate redress.
In the new era, Armenian-Russian partnership, in order to be strategic without quotation marks, must be sincere, really reciprocal and based on horizontal respect, despite the differences in size and experience between the two nations.
A case in point is the information recently leaked by the Russian media and reactively confirmed by official Yerevan that the two states, either bilaterally or under the auspices of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), intend to extend up to 49 years the treaty arrangement for the Russian base and the deployment of forces there. Matters of dignity aside, this flies in the face of Armenian sovereignty, foreign policy independence, and vital national interests. It also flouts the unlimited future potential of an actually strategic partnership between us.
This holds especially true in view of the fact that the existing base agreement does not expire until 2020 and can, if necessary, be extended upon expiration for five or even ten years. Of further consternation is the Kremlin’s military rapport with and sales to Ankara, which stands in occupation of the historic Armenian patrimony, has imposed a modern-day blockade of the Republic of Armenia tantamount to an act of war, and continues to deny and shirk responsibility for the Genocide and Great Armenian Dispossession of 1915.
A more contemporary source of outrage is Moscow’s military support for Azerbaijan, which having launched a failed war of aggression against Mountainous Karabagh and Armenia is today threatening renewed hostilities, completing its occupation of the Armenian heartlands of Shahumian, Getashen, Artsvashen, and Nakhichevan, and continuing with impunity to destroy and desecrate the Armenian cultural heritage at Jugha and elsewhere.
In this connection, in the event that Russia indeed carries through with the reported sale of its S-300 weapon systems or other equivalent armaments to the aggressive, belligerent, and revisionist regime of Azerbaijan, Armenia should withdraw forthwith from the CSTO, of which it is the sole member from the region, or at the very least require full fair-market rent for the Russian base together with reimbursement for water, electricity and other relevant expenses.
And finally, the ultimate achievement of Partnership between Russia and Armenia, and between Russia and the West, will necessarily entail an actual application of the Rule of Law—not only domestic but also international—and hence the recognition of the Republic of Mountainous Karabagh within its constitutional frontiers, as well as of Kosovo and Abkhazia.
Anything else is partisan politics, petty political gain and sui generis dissimulation, all of which might make sense for some and for the moment but at bottom run counter to the aims of peace, security, justice and democratic values for the critical landmass amid the seas.
Raffi Hovannisian, independent Armenia’s first minister of foreign affairs, currently chairs the Heritage Party and represents it in Parliament.
Fuck Russia! I cringe every time I see a Russian sign, hear Russian spoken in an as a matter of fact way, or hear regurgitated Russian humor, values and view points expressed by fellow Armenians. I admire Georgia for ridding itself from them once and for all with all the consequences that followed and I am ashamed that we could not do the same.
“Areg” if indeed that is your real name, I suggest you consider growing up one day. your types anti Russian tirade will get you nowhere.
BTW, I thought Raffi Hovannisian was more mature with his Russian thinking than he really is.
Get off your pedestal “John”, if that’s your real name. I hate Russia and as you noted I was just venting and not offering a wonder-solution. Perhaps you in all your wisdom, maturity and higher grown-up state could say something constructive about the problem? If you can, I haven’t seen it so far but go for it, it’s all you…
I refuse to believe that Raffi is really this naive as to think the solution is so simple. Aremnia currently has Russian agents running its government, how will they rid themselves of their puppet masters?
The solution has to start within Armenia before we demand respect from outside players. Russia is doing whats in its interest and the same cant be said about Armenian leaders. Armenian foreign policy must balance powers to its advantage, which is clearly not the case and it is headed towards the opposite direction. We have no right blaming other governments for acting in the best interest of their countries. Shame on RH for not having the guts to call it like it is and putting the blame where it really belongs, our current Armenian government. This is a fluff article from someone who is either really dumb or is pretending to be ignorant.
“Yerevan’s “strategic” relationship with Moscow” is “the bedrock for regional peace and security” !!!!
I haven’t has so much laughs in a looong time !
You’re quite a joker, Mr. Hovannisian )
It is possibly a good idea for Armenia and Armenians to take a deep breath and assess our fundamental worldview. And its probably as good a time as any on our history. Civility in discourse and expression of well-thought-through opinions both will be welcome! Now, with regards to the Armenia-Russia relationship, in my humble opinion, the choices for Armenia will continue to be limited primarily due to lack of our (all of us Armenians in and out of Armenia) real and tangible engagement with Armenia. The superficial criticism of our current or past leaders is somewhat hollow without OUR real engagement. After all these leaders came from us. I for one commend Mr. Raffi Hovannisian for his REAL ENGAGEMENT! He left CA/USA and has chosen to really engage in the day to day of his country. DEEDS count far more hollow words and hurled insults! Lets hold a mirror to the authenticity of our own engagement first before we look for enemies from the inside and outside! Deep respects for all that will choose to engage in constructive dialogue and engagement.