Sergei Markov: Russia and Armenia don't experience problems

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia and Armenia do not experience the problems our state has with Baku, director of the Institute for Political Studies in Moscow Sergei Markov said when answering the question "why Moscow names Armenia a strategic ally and Azerbaijan a strategic partner."



"Russian military bases are deployed in Armenia. Besides, Yerevan supports Russia in all international organizations and is a member of CSTO and EurAsEC," he said.



When asked to explain why "Russian media are boosting nationalist tendencies toward Azerbaijan", Mr Markov said, "It all began long ago. The Azerbaijani authorities have chosen the U.S. as main ally. Consequently, the Azeri government is following the American policy. In short, Azerbaijan is becoming a Caucasian Turkey. Political dividends from the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan are justified for Azerbaijan in a way. Russia is not interested in the project, however, it's beneficial for the United States," he said.



"As to GUAM, Azerbaijan's joining the organization and active participation in all measures is an open anti-Russian maneuver. Furthermore, Azerbaijan's support to Russia's ill-wishers' efforts to discuss the assistance Moscow renders to separatist regimes in the UN General Assembly, is also a move against Russia. However, it's not all yet. The Azeri leadership openly backs Tbilisi. The anti-Russian trends in Azerbaijani policy led to expansion of anti-Azeri spirits in the Russian elite, what is rapidly filtering into the media," he continued.



The Azeri leaders are too confident of the U.S. support. That is why Moscow has taken a firm stand toward Baku. This, unfortunately, leads to a gap of misunderstanding between Russia and Azerbaijan," he said.



When asked what Baku should do to enlist Kremlin's support in all urgent issues, including the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Sergei Markov said, "First of all, stop developing GUAM and supporting anti-Russian political regimes. Then Russia will support you. Everything is easy. We treat you just like you treat us," Day.az reports.