Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 14
By Elmira Tariverdiyeva - Trend:
No one was surprised that after the demonstrative interruption of the European integration process by Armenia in 2013 and its hasty accession to the Russian integration process, the Eurasian Economic Union, Yerevan decided to resume talks with the EU in a couple of years.
On Oct.13, the EU Council decided to give the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini powers necessary to start negotiations on a new framework agreement with Armenia. The talks are scheduled to begin before the end of the year.
The new document must be legally binding and comprehensive and designed to replace the current EU-Armenia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
Everything that happens is so Armenian-like - snatching political benefits from all sides, "not getting anyone hurt", letting everyone down and making a convenience of them.
However, when sorting things out, it becomes clear: this is another show by Armenia, aimed at demonstrating its "usefulness" for all sides.
But in fact, Armenia, skilfully demonstrating its devotion to the Kremlin, has decided to continue the relations with the EU from the place it cut them, that is, to sign an agreement that actually is a continuation of an association deal.
In terms of political relations and the reforms needed by Europe and undertaken by Armenia to harmonize its legislation with laws of Europe, Yerevan hasn't in fact waived anything, while the EU has taken another point of influence in the Caucasus from Russia.
As for the economic issues, Yerevan, of course, hasn't got even something small for itself.
On the other hand, Armenia's government, which has a main aim to politically manoeuvre between the interests of Europe and Russia, isn't even interested in the economic aspect.
And it doesn't matter if the people have become totally poor and dependent on the strongly ill ruble, the Russian currency, because financially everything is fine with the Armenian elite that makes decisions.
By creating an area of competition between Russia and the EU on its territory, Armenia tries to protect itself from the military settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in case it happens.
If Russia, which has been increasingly strengthening the relations with Azerbaijan, decides not to intervene, it is always possible to threaten the Kremlin with moving into the European sphere of influence. Therefore, the documentary basis for European integration will be useful for Armenia as never before.
Both Brussels and Moscow can't but understand that the Armenian government does everything by taking into account its own interests and benefits, that's to say, not for the benefits of Armenia and Armenian people, but for its corrupt oligarchic government.
Edited by CN
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Elmira Tariverdiyeva is the head of Trend Agency's Russian News Service
