Armenia Joins Eurasian Economic Union Despite Hurdles, Objections

MINSK, Belarus (A.W.)—Armenia signed documents of accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) on Oct. 10, joining Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan in the union, more than a year after first announcing intentions to join.

Armenia signed documents of accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) on Oct. 10.
Armenia signed documents of accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) on Oct. 10.

President Serge Sarkisian “thanked the heads of states of the member countries for the political support of the process of accession, and assured that Armenia will show a high sense of responsibility towards its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union,” reported the president’s website. “The president expressed the hope that the heads of EEU member countries will facilitate the ratification of that agreement in their national parliaments by the end of this year so that Armenia starts working beginning January 1 next year.”

Armenia was expected to join the union in May, but two of the three member states, Belarus and Kazakhstan, reportedly created hurdles. In his speech in Minsk, Sarkisian said, “We had difficulties in the negotiation phase but owing to our political will, professional approach and the readiness to look for the best decisions, we were able to cut it short and consider the interests of all the parties engaged.”

In his opening remarks at the meeting in Minsk, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that “Armenia is ready for working in the Eurasian Economic Union on an equal footing with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.” He added, “In a relatively short space of time, starting in autumn 2013, our Armenian friends have brought their economic regulations into line with our common standards and their national laws into line with our organization’s rules.”

Putin expressed hope “to see positive macroeconomic effects in the first year or two following Armenia’s accession.” He noted that trade between Armenia and the three members of the EEU “is growing fast as it is and has been adding up to ten percent every year. Removing trade and administrative barriers will, I hope, only further consolidate this trend. Other key indicators such as GDP, consumer demand, real incomes, and employment should also improve.”

Critics have argued that Putin’s expectations of growth might not be very realistic. The sanctions following Russia’s showdown with the West over Ukraine have impacted Armenia negatively, some say.

Sarkisian’s announcement in Moscow in August 2013 to join the EEU came as a surprise to even some of his closest political allies. After all, Armenia had been for years in negotiations with the European Union to join the Free Trade Zone.

Some opposition parties had spoken against the move, while others, particularly the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, were less recalcitrant. “We can assume that the main reason for this unexpected decision by the Armenian President while in Moscow was the security of Armenia and Mountainous Karabagh. This is a responsibility related to the foundations of our nation and state,” the ARF had said in a statement in August 2013.

33 Comments

  1. Armenia joins the club of dictatorial countries thus guaranteeing a backward economy, a lack of free market and development for a long time to come… with the Russian economy headed to a collapse the timing could not have been worse. Even Serge understood that was a bad choice before he was forced.

    • Ugh, agreed. Putin says “on an equal footing with Belarus and Kazakhstan” like it’s a good thing.

    • First off, it is not ‘Serge’: It is President Sargsyan.
      How many days did you spend fighting in Karabagh to have earned the right to call the President by his first name ?
      People of RoA elected Mr. Sargsyan by a popular vote of 58% vs 37%: you don’t like it, tough cookies.
      ‘Forced’ ? Were you there in the meetings between Presidents Sargsyan and Putin ?
      Since 1991 Independence RoA has had very close strategic relationship with Russia. For obvious reasons.
      The fiction that RoA was ‘forced’ was created by Neocon vipers to sow division amongst Armenians.
      The vile effort fell flat on its face: even during the Oct 10 rally of Opposition, Government’s foreign policy was tacitly endorsed.
      Armenian people are not like the Ukrainian self-destructive idiots.
      We are Armenians first and foremost.
      Most of us – super majority – can smell the Neocon filth a mile away.

      Second: it is infinitely better to join a so-called club of ‘dictatorial’ countries, than join a Turkpohile Neocon club, NATO/EU, that sat on their hands while their nomad Turk hirelings gobbled up 40% of Christian Cyprus.
      They sat on their hands while Turkbaijan and Turkey almost succeeded in another Genocide of Christian Armenians in NKR.

      Third: neither EU nor US will lift a finger if Turkbaijan and Turkey attack RoA and NKR. Russia may or may not lift a finger, but one thing for sure; the Neocon hatchet man NATO will sit back and cheer the demise of RoA and NKR.
      Doubt it ? In 1993 when Turkey massed an invasion army on the border of RoA, US, EU, UK, France, Germany…everybody was on vacation.
      Guess which country told the invadonomads to “Get” – which they promptly did, with their lupine tail between their hind legs.
      NATO/Neocon war criminals and their radical Islamist goons have almost completely wiped out Christianity from Middle East.
      Which countries have their bloody hands in the destruction of Syria and the Syrian-Armenian community ? Take a wild guess.
      Sure isn’t Russia.
      Which country was it that told O-bomber Obama to “can it” when he was threatening to send in the B-52s to carpet bomb Syria ?
      How many 1000s of Syrians and Syrian-Armenians would have been ‘collateral damage’, do you suppose.
      There is EU for you.

      Joining EU is no economic panacea either: find out what happened to Romania, Bulgaria, etc after they joined EU.
      And what products exactly does RoA produce that would be quality- and cost-competitive in the EU market ?
      Local Armenian producers would be destroyed and RoA would be flooded with foreign products and produce.
      RoA would become an economic slave to IMF and EU.
      We’d have to give up everything precious to our Armenian ethnos to avoid the EU imposed economic suicide.

      Russian economy headed for collapse ?
      Nice fantasy: Russia has enough land and natural wealth to feed the world.
      Russia has a landmass twice the size of United States.
      Debt-to-GDP of < 10% (US is ~100%).
      EU is creaking under a colossal debt.
      They can’t even rescue their bastard child rump-Ukraine from financial collapse.

      Regurgitating MSM disinformation and propaganda is DOA in the internet age, pal.

    • Avery:

      “Third: neither EU nor US will lift a finger if Turkbaijan and Turkey attack RoA and NKR. Russia may or may not lift a finger, but one thing for sure; the Neocon hatchet man NATO will sit back and cheer the demise of RoA and NKR.”

      But neither the EU nor the EEU treaties have anything to do with military coperations. This is a straw man argument. Everyone knows that the EU treaty was never about guaranteeing Armenia’s physical security.

      My understanding is that the military cooperation with Russia and the CSTO are separate agreements and treaties.

      Unless joining EEU implies better security for Armenia, in which case this is where Russia’s heavy handedness regarding Armenia’s soverign right to make treaties as she sees fit.

      Is there anything in the EEU that has anything to do with military aid and security of Armenia?

    • Avery,

      Can’t Armenia have a purely economic treaty with the EU and military treaties with Russia and the CSTO? How is this EEU treaty tied with the security. Is there anything in the EEU that guarantees the security of Armenia?

    • “Joining EU is no economic panacea either: find out what happened to Romania, Bulgaria, etc after they joined EU.”

      No, joining the EU will not automatically make things better. Each country has to work for it, but being in the EU helps. The issues with these countries are internal. They have not cleaned up corruption in their countries. I suppose you can blame EU for not being more forceful in making these countries clean up their houses.

      There is also Greece. And their main issue was corruption. That’s what did them in.

      And Armenia has it’s own corruption issues, and I don’t see joining the Eurasian Economic Union will help it. In fact it might make it easier for Armenians to find work in Russia and thus increasing the migration out of the country. And in turn reducing the tax base in Armenia.

      Reducing corruption in Armenia makes Armenia stronger internally. This is very important.

      And please note, many countries who broke away from the Soviet Union or the Eastern Block *wanted* to join the EU. They were not forced into it.

    • Avery,
      “RoA would become an economic slave to IMF and EU.
      We’d have to give up everything precious to our Armenian ethnos to avoid the EU imposed economic suicide.”

      But this is happening with Russia. We are giving up a lot to be with Russia. Russia owns so much of Armenian infrastructure because of unpayable debts to it.

      A viable and independent Armenia needs to have as much ownership of its energy, security and economic needs as possible. This is tough to do given Armenia’s current situation. But having another country in control of so much of this is not good for Armenia, regardless of whether it’s Russia or EU.

      I can only hope that the EEU makes things better for Armenia. I’m just not encouraged given the level of corruption in Russia.

  2. Congratulations Armenia! This is in fact the only choicer you had in that terrible neighborhood. Look at Cyprus, Serbia, Iraq, Libya, Iran, Syria and Ukraine. Never trust the West!

  3. Modern-day Armenia owes its inception and existence to Russia.The Czarist monarchy carved out what came to be known as Eastern Armenia from lands it seized from Persia in 1813 (Treaty of Gulestan) and 1829 (Treaty of Turkmenchai).In 1920 the Russian Red Army salvaged what was left of the Armenian Republic from the jaws of Kemalist Turkey.Armenia owes Russia its very existence and therefore all other considerations will have to take a back seat to the existential imperative.Anyone who thinks we can run afoul of our Russian protector has no knowledge of history and much less of geography.You do not need to have the I.Q. of Einstein to realize that when you live in a neighborhood of thugs it would be wise to have a strong police presence to keep would-be criminals in check.

    • Owes Russia? What about when Stalin was dividing Karabagh to the Azeri’s? Or when the communist sent many intellectuals to Siberia? Should we thank them? What about Gorbachev not doing anything while the Azeri’s raped, burned, shot and threw out windows Armenians in Baku and Sumgait? Or just recently Russia selling massive arms to the Azeri’s? Russia is no TRUE friend. All politics is out of mutual need and correct timing. Instead thank our Armenian military ALONE for keeping the Turks from swallowing up Armenia. Its the ONLY true guarantee. Oh and yes we do get our weapons from Russia but what in return? All the valuable Armenian Resources that’s what.

      My biggest complaint is the very thug in charge who uses Armenia as his own bank account. How do these people like Serge and Katcharian become MASSIVELY WEALTHY once in power? THEFT of their own.

  4. AVERY. Well said and well written. Thank You. You saved Mr Sassoun from my harsh language. Yes he is the President of OUR COUNTRY Armenia and not Serje. He is not your Friend Mr Sassoun. Everything you have written Avery I am 100% without adding anything to it. Look at EU how tragic they look. They even sent their trade minister to south America so they ask the South American not to send marginalized food prizes to Russia. Forget about Ukraine. Look at Greece, Spain, Portugal,Italy and France. And look what is happening to the Kurds right in front of our eyes. The Same Players PLAYED THE SAME GAME on the Armenians 100 Years ago. How could we TRUST these people …again.
    I am very happy for Armenia and may it be possible one day to go and live in our own country.

    • Russia is a major power and major powers do what they believe is in their interest. Russia will not sacrifice their interests for little Armenia if they are at odds with Armenia’s interests.

      It’s naive to assume that somehow Russia is different a different beast.

  5. The west just fears a Soviet Union 2.0, which is what this EEU is essentially. They don’t want another super power. Didn’t Hilary say many years ago that she will do whatever is takes to stop such a union’s progress?

    Dark times ahead I think. I am no expert but pray those in Armenia are and have chosen the most appropriate path for the nation.

  6. (Random Armenian // October 15, 2014 at 4:54 pm //)

    Assertion:

    {“Russia is a major power and major powers do what they believe is in their interest. Russia will not sacrifice their interests for little Armenia if they are at odds with Armenia’s interests.”}
    {“It’s naive to assume that somehow Russia is different a different beast.”}

    Rebuttal:

    {US/EU is a major power and major powers do what they believe is in their interest. US/EU will not sacrifice their interests for little Armenia if they are at odds with Armenia’s interests.}
    {It’s naive to assume that somehow US/EU is different a different beast.}

    Right.

    Neither US nor EU have a strategic stake in Armenia, or Caucasus for that matter.
    Neocons, who have somehow infiltrated the foreign policy establishments of US and major powers of EU (UK, France, Germany,…), are running the foreign policies of those states. More often than not to the detriment of national interests and the interests of citizens of those countries.

    Nuclear armed Orthodox Christian Russia is an impediment to the goal of Anti-Christian reptilian Neocons for total worldwide hegemony.
    Little countries like Georgia and Armenia* are nothing more than convenient real estate to setup a NATO camp to threaten and weaken Russia.
    Under Neocon agent Saakashvili, Neocons armed and trained Georgian military to (presumably) ‘contain’ Russia.
    Mentally unstable Misha believed the BS he was being fed, and goaded by Neocons, decided to go on a military-glory adventure.
    His Neocon trained army – equipped with the latest NATO and Israeli gear – lasted all of 5 days against poorly equipped, largely conscript Russian army**.
    The idiot was actually expecting his Neocon patrons to come to his aid militarily: as is their SOP, after messing things up, and causing massive death and destruction, Neocons up and left: they are safe in their own lairs 1000s of miles away; why risk life and limb for some distant whats-its-name country.

    Saakashvili, btw, is living in the West now…surprise, surprise. A richly earned, well-paid retirement in the Neocon mahogany row by delivering his country to the vipers. And the heck with his ordinary Georgian compatriots who are still paying for the criminal treason of the Neocon plant.
    Saakashvili, btw, is wanted by the de-Neoconanized (decontaminated) government of Georgia for a variety of serious charges, including murder conspiracy.

    Neocons also instigated and successfully carried out a Neo-Nazi Putsch in Ukraine.
    After thousands of deaths of Ukrainians and Russians – ethnic Slavs stupidly killing each other – Ukraine will be looted by the Neocons*** and break apart going forward.

    In case people forgot, Neocon slime attempted the same in RoA a couple times.
    They failed miserably, thanks to the wisdom of ordinary people and leadership or Armenia: God bless our compatriots.
    As I noted in another post, thank God Armenians are not like the idiot Ukrainians or Georgians.

    Yes. Indeed: major powers pursue their own interests, as should Armenia.
    Difference between major powers like Russia vs US/EU is that Russia has a national stake and strategic interest in the Caucasus.
    If Armenia disappears from Caucasus tomorrow, neither US nor EU will be affected in the least. They could not care less.
    If Armenia disappears from Caucasus tomorrow, Russia’s vulnerable underbelly will be suddenly exposed to an uninterrupted belt of Turkic/Islamist/Anti-Russian states.
    Russia simply cannot afford to lose Armenia.

    —–
    * the other state in Caucasus, the gas station Azerbaijan, is wholly owned by British Petroleum, so no issue there for Oilycons.
    ** since 2008, Russia has embarked on a massive military modernization of both men and equipment.
    *** Hunter Biden, son of US VP Joe Biden, recently joined the board of directors of Burisma Holdings, Ukraine’s largest private gas producer. Hunter, also recently, was thrown out of US Navy (reserve) for testing positive for drug use (cocaine). How nice.

    • Avery,

      That’s not a rebuttal since I agree with it. Note that I wrote “… and major powers do what they believe is in their interest.” That’s inclusive of any major power such as the US, EU, Russia, China etc.

      The underlying motivation that has me posting here is this Russian glorification and vilification of the West I keep seeing written here. Russia is a major power that will do as she sees fit regardless of whether it’s good for Armenia or not. We all need to keep our eyes open and not blindly put all our eggs with Russia.

      I’ll write more when I have the time.

    • You sound like a conspiracy theorists with your angry rants against Neocons.
      The West would not have come to the aid of Georgia whoever is running foreign policy, neocons or not.

      And what does Russia being Orthodox Christian have anything to do with it. The competition between West and Russia has everything to do but that.

      And why where are Christian Russian brethren (or overlords) helping the Azeris in the Karabakh war? Why are they now selling billions of dollars in top of the line military hardware that would be used to kill Christian civilians if Azerbaijan chooses to restart a military campaign? Christianity has nothing to do here when oil and money talks.

    • As French sociologist Emile Durkheim said, “in traditional societies religion plays an important role in uniting members through the creation of a common consciousness, the contents of which create a mechanical solidarity through mutual likeness”. This, I believe, explains Avery’s point re: Orthodox Christian Russia. After all, Armenians are also Orthodox albeit of Eastern denomination. Those Christian Russian soldiers who were helping the Azeris in the Karabakh war were acting on orders from a person on the very top, read: Gorby and his confidant sellouts, recruited by the Western intelligence to destroy the Soviet state. After the dismantlement of the Soviet Union, things proceeded by inertia for a while, before Russia was able to pull herself together and ascertain her foreign policy and national security imperatives in the mid-1990s.

  7. Selected rebuttals to various assertions made in several posts (date-stamped)

    (Random Armenian // October 15, 2014 at 12:04 pm //)
    {“ But neither the EU nor the EEU treaties have anything to do with military coperations. This is a straw man argument…”}
    Clearly you either have no appreciation of geopolitics of Caucasus or pretending not to.
    I already gave several examples of how the world really works, particularly when it comes to Armenia and Atrsakh.
    Treaties are pieces of paper: real geopolitical interests and historic ties anchor formalities.

    (Random Armenian // October 15, 2014 at 12:07 pm //)
    {“Can’t Armenia have ….”}
    Asked and answered.

    (Random Armenian // October 16, 2014 at 1:01 pm //)
    {“And please note, many countries who broke away from the Soviet Union or the Eastern Block *wanted* to join the EU. They were not forced into it.”}
    A strawman argument.
    A red herring.
    After USSR broke up, the huge Soviet block market that existed for Soviet block members disappeared overnight.
    Why wouldn’t Eastern Block counties in _Europe_ who faced no existential threat join EU ? And was there an alternative economic block in existence ? EEU is just forming recently. EU has been in existence, in various forms, for decades (various European treaties culminating in EU)

    And blaming everything on corruption is also a strawman argument.

    (Random Armenian // October 16, 2014 at 2:15 pm //)
    {“ We are giving up a lot to be with Russia.”}
    I specifically wrote: “…everything precious to our Armenian ethnos…”, not “a lot”.
    Make an effort to understanding what that means: the words ‘precious’ and ‘Armenian ethnos’ were specifically chosen.
    I you do not see what that means, then you cannot see.

    {“ I can only hope that the EEU makes things better for Armenia.”}
    No you don’t.

    {“ I’m just not encouraged given the level of corruption in Russia.”}
    A strawman argument.
    A red herring.

    • Do any of these former Eastern block countries in the EU want to join Russia with the EEU? Are they saying “we tried this EU thing and it didn’t work out for us, but this EEU looks much better?”

      “{“ I can only hope that the EEU makes things better for Armenia.”}
      No you don’t.”
      Really? You think I want Armenia to suffer and not get better? I want to see less corruption in Armenia. I want Armenia to be more self-reliant. I want Armenians to start moving back to Armenia. The sooner the better.

      Neither the EU treaties nor the EEU explicitly promised or guaranteed Armenia’s security. Armenia has military and security relations with Russia independently of these economic treaties. It was one economic coalition or the other. To tie joining the EEU to Armenia’s national security implies that Russia will not be pleased if Armenia does not join the EEU and in turn will impact Armenia’s security. Russia is using Armenia’s existential situation to bully it into the EEU. Your own posts admit to this.

      Russia has a corruption issue. Armenia has a corruption issue. Those countries with less corruption do better economically. While Russia can lumber along given it’s larger population, land mass and oil, Armenia cannot afford corruption. It has a much higher impact (even though Armenia’s corruption is lower than Russia’s) on Armenia given the tiny population and land-locked situation.

    • “I weep for the liberty of my country when I see at this early day of its successful experiment that corruption has been imputed to many members of the House of Representatives, and the rights of the people have been bartered for promises of office.” ~Andrew Jackson stating this during his presidency from 1829 to 1837, i.e. just 50+ years after the American colonies declared independence from Britain. Note, America was a “successful experiment”, whereas Armenia endures never-ending hardships related to her geographical and geopolitical location and neighborhood. This is not a justification for Armenia’s corrupt regime, but an invitation to have a broader macro-historic look at things. Hope I made myself clear…

    • {“ Really? You think I want Armenia to suffer and not get better?”}
      Yes, really.
      Yes, I do.
      I have been reading your posts for a long time.
      And you have been reading mine (I presume) for the same length of time.
      Regardless of what names we use to post under, our comments, our advocacy, our biases clearly show who wants what for Armenia, Artsakh, and the Armenian people.
      The fact that you invariably cyber-bully Mr. Sassounian on the comment pages of AW is more than sufficient proof of your agenda.
      And it is clearly not a case of “Where Mr Sassounian’s heart lies is not in question.” (from the other thread).
      That is the classic strawman preposition. A red herring.
      You have a hard time accepting facts: I clearly listed just _some_ of what Mr. Sassounian has _done_ for RoA, NKR, Armenians, Armenian causes.
      Not what’s in his heart, but what he has actually _done_ for Armenia.
      Done. Accomplished. Effectuated. Attained. Successfully completed.
      OK ?

      You cyber-bully Mr. Sassounian, because you can’t help yourself: his genuine advocacy for Armenia gives you indigestion.
      I don’t know who you are and you don’t know who I am.
      But pretty much everybody who is connected to Armenian people and Armenian causes knows who Mr. Sassounian is.
      His record of patriotism and genuine love and caring for Armenia is crystal clear.
      Public record.

      Only one other poster I know who invariably opposes Mr. Sassounian on every article: our fair Turk guest RVDV.
      And he does not hide the fact he is a Turk. In fact advertises it every chance he gets.

      Have a nice day.
      See you at the next article.

    • Avery,

      You have a knee-jerk, conspiratorial, reactionary way of looking at things.

      And you need to look up “red herring”, “straw man argument” and bullying, because you’re not using them correctly. You’re too angry and emotional to have a decent conversation with.

      Mr. Sassounian’s accomplishments does not mean he’s immune to criticism on specific points and arguments he makes.

      Accusing an Armenian you don’t agree with to be a Turkophile is bullying.

  8. The wisest decision ever taken by the government of the RoA since 1991. Whether it was taken unilaterally or with the “help” of Russia, doesn’t really matter. What matters is that the decision reflects upon the wishes and aspirations of the majority of Armenia’s citizens. People are first and foremost concerned about their security and let’s face it: the only country, a re-emerging great power that can guarantee it to them, is Russia. Certainly, for Russia’s own interests. Certainly, for Russia’s own geopolitical agenda. Certainly, for Russia’s own strategic objectives. Not just for the beautiful Armenian eyes, we’ve got that. But we also got that no one except Russia—neither the jilting U.S. that couldn’t care less about coming to Georgia’s rescue in 2008 nor the snobbish EU that applies cheap double standards towards recognition of Kosovo and non-recognition of Artsakh—would ever come to Armenia’s help if she’s attacked by Turkic savage states from the South or from the East. Need we repeat that Armenia has many commonalities with Russia in terms of her geographic and geopolitical proximity, Orthodox Christian affiliation, cultural and civilizational values, common history that stretches for several centuries, linguistic and mentality-related connections? Congratulations, Armenia. Well done!

    • I don’t think it’s a matter of wisdom but lack of good choices.

      What is wiser however is the current continuing effort by the Sarkissian administration to develop economic relations with it’s neighbors and the EU. This has been in the news after the signing of the EEU. For Armenia to develop additional economic relations with others without conflicting with the EEU is important. Or even pushing the boundaries of the restriction placed by EEU.

    • Any decision that embodies aspirations of the majority of the people is, by and large, wise. Conversely, any decision that runs counter to people’s interests, such as the signing of infamous protocols, is, by and large, unwise.

      One other choice was EU. But security concerns took prevalence over “bright new dawn” promises by impassive, indifferent, and double-faced EU or the U.S., for that matter.

      It goes without saying that Armenia will develop additional economic relations with other states without conflicting with the EEU. But it is not what’s wis-ER. THE wisest thing is the guaranteed security of the people and free exchanges of goods and services with the allied, like-minded nation-states.

    • john,

      Security yes, but how secure, and at what cost? People keep talking about the negatives of the EU, but has anyone really soaked in the corruption in Russia? How will this affect Armenia in an economic coalition dominated by Russia?

      The EU and the US are a mute point now. It’s what Russia will do and how they will behave that will matter.

    • “Orthodox Christian affiliation”

      This means nothing. Ethics and morality from religion or religious affiliation takes a back seat when it comes to power, money, oil, racism and nationlism. This has been demonstrated over and over throughout history. This “Orthodox Christian affiliation” will not come into play as far as I’m concerned.

      And what are these “mentality-related connections”? I’m curious.

    • How secure?

      As secure as a member-state of the CSTO may be. As secure as a signatory-state to the Russian-Armenian military treaty prolonged through 2044 may be. As secure as a state hosting a Russian military base as part of a CIS integrated air defense system may be.

      At what cost?

      Inevitably, at the cost of partial loss of sovereignty, a typical paradigm for virtually every resource-poor, vulnerable smaller state located in proximity to a mightier state. Smaller states seek to maximize their security and chances of survival even if they are to delegate a portion of their sovereign rights to a mightier state. There’s no getting around it, unfortunately.

      Has anyone really soaked in the corruption in Russia? How will this affect Armenia in an economic coalition dominated by Russia?

      How can existing corruption in one country affect existing corruption in another country? As cynical as it may sound, multiplying negatives makes a positive. On a serious note, even with corruption in Russia (is there a country immune of corruption, btw?), her market possibilities + markets of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and (soon) Kyrgyzstan, are enormous and therefore beneficial for Armenia’s exports.

      The EU and the US are a mute point.

      Why? Cognition comes through comparison. It is clear to everyone that neither the EU nor the US is fit to hold a candle, so to speak.

      It’s what Russia will do and how they will behave that will matter.

      Yes. But Russia passed the prerequisite check, so to speak. She has a strategic stake in Armenia. She’s been the major supplier of energy resources to Armenia. She maintains a military base in Armenia. She facilitated Armenia’s entrance to an emerging vast regional union. She holds the key to the settlement of the NK conflict. She safeguards regional security and military balance. She recognized the Armenian genocide. What did the EU (as a whole) and the US do for Armenia in these matters or to what extent?

  9. {“You sound like a conspiracy theorists with your angry rants against Neocons.”}
    (Random Armenian // October 22, 2014 at 10:46 am //)

    In the beginning of February of 2014, US Assistant Secretary Victoria Nuland had a phone conversation with US Ambassador to Ukraine, Geoffrey Pyat.
    The phone conversation was intercepted by an intelligence agency and leaked to the world wide web.
    US never denied that the conversation was genuine.
    This was the now infamous “F___ EU” conversation.

    The “F___ EU” part took center stage, for obvious reasons.
    But what was the real outrage was the fact that two US Neocons were discussing which puppet to _install_ in Ukraine, while a democratically and legally elected President, Yanukovych, was still in office.

    Not a theory: an actual, successful conspiracy to overthrow a legally elected government: a Neo-Nazi Putsch that succeeded in dividing Ukraine and plunging it in civil war that has resulted in about 1 million refugees and about 2,000 dead, including civilians, and 1000s wounded. Massacres of civilians (Odessa), war-crime bombings of civilian targets, and other atrocities. The death and destruction is still ongoing as of this writing.
    Yep: it sure looks like a conspiracy ‘theory’.

    You sound like a Neocon Turkophile mouthpiece with your angry denials of the obvious.

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