Russian, Armenian leaders to discuss Customs Union, Karabakh in Moscow

Russian, Armenian leaders to discuss Customs Union, Karabakh in Moscow

PanARMENIAN.Net - The prospects of the Armenia-Russia cooperation within Customs Union and Unified Economic Space will be discussed during the September 3 Moscow-hosted meeting between both countries’ leaders, Russian President’s aide said.

“Development of international processes in the CIS, multilateral cooperation within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will be discussed, as well as provision of stability in Transcaucasia, including the Karabakh conflict settlement efforts,” Yuri Ushakov said.

Earlier, Armenian as well as foreign experts were tying to forecast the agenda of a meeting between Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin. Some believed that the Armenian leader was expected to pick between the Customs Union and EU Associated Membership, choosing between Russia and Europe.

Thus, Sargsyan will have to persuade Putin that the economic element of the Association Agreement won’t lead to changes in the military and political sector of cooperation.

Other experts believe the Karabakh conflict settlement in the light of the oncoming presidential election in Azerbaijan to become the key issue of the meeting agenda.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.

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