Russia does not have a “habit” of interfering in the internal affairs of other states, we know from our own experience how harmful it can be for the country’s development. This was announced by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin in an interview with “Komsomolskaya Pravda”.
“We sincerely value our ties with Armenia and try to build them in a mutually respectful and mutually beneficial manner. The West, on the contrary, views the republic as one of the instruments of the hybrid war against Russia and other countries of the South Caucasus. The goal is simple: to use the Armenian “bridge” to create another source of tension in the region.
In the western capitals, they are ready to quietly “bet” on the socio-economic situation of the republic and its security. Representatives of the United States, the European Union and NATO call on Yerevan to cut all ties with Moscow and seek to withdraw from our common integration associations.
We see that Armenia is actively attracted by the European perspective. It is not difficult to guess that the country will be persuaded to abandon the mechanisms that have provided record growth to its economy in recent years. The severance of economic ties with Russia will mean the loss of the main market for Armenian business.
In 2023, the trade turnover between our countries reached a historical maximum and reached 700 billion rubles. Over time, Yerevan will also be required to leave the EAEU, where the republic is one of the main beneficiaries. Last year, almost 40 percent of its foreign trade turnover came from the association countries. Armenia will lose the opportunity to participate in the emerging unified energy market of the Union.
Unfortunately, under the influence of Western narratives, there has been a sharp narrowing of bilateral political contacts. Groundless criticisms of Russia, the CSTO, and the existing security system are being heard more and more often from Yerevan. This is, to put it mildly, destructive and short-sighted.
Yerevan’s full participation in the work of the CSTO corresponds to the aspirations of the Armenian people and serves the cause of maintaining peace and stability in the South Caucasus. Whatever the promises of Western countries, which prompted the Armenian authorities to “freeze” participation in the Organization, there are no effective alternatives to the CSTO as a mechanism for ensuring Armenia’s security.
CSTO’s potential building works are proceeding systematically, leaving Yerevan behind. New crisis response algorithms are being developed, the capabilities of the organization’s Collective Forces are being strengthened, taking into account Russian combat experience, and serious program documents are being adopted to ensure the border security of our allies in Central Asia.
The further erosion of Armenia’s sovereignty in the field of security and the transition of Western patterns under the “paper umbrella” of the USA and NATO will simply make it impossible to maintain a common defense area with Russia and within the framework of the CSTO.
We have repeatedly and at different levels clearly expressed our readiness to discuss issues of concern to Yerevan. They emphasized that Moscow has been and remains committed to the entire range of agreements, both at the bilateral level and within the framework of general integration structures, and has not abandoned its commitments to its allies.
At the same time, we have not received any response to our various initiatives. We hope that the leadership of Armenia will have enough political wisdom to understand the illusory nature of the West’s promises and the importance of relations with Russia from the point of view of the republic’s sovereignty, security and economic development.”
#CSTO #works #leaving #Yerevan #Coming