Expert predicts Russia’s inactivity in South Caucasus under Putin’s ruleApril 3, 2012 - 15:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Political scientist Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's visit to Armenia was most likely linked to past presidential elections in Russia. Speaking at a press conference in Yerevan on April 3, Melik-Shahnazaryan said that in addition to the 20th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between Armenia and Russia, Lavrov's visit also aimed to collect information on stance of states in both South Caucasus and Middle Asia. In addition to Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russian FM is going to visit some Middle Asian countries as well. The expert believes that during Vladimir Putin’s presidency, Russia will mainly focus on foreign policy and social-economic reforms because currently it faces huge public discontent. Russia will not actively engage in foreign policy, particularly in Caucasus, mostly aiming to maintain the status-quo and the peace process of Karabakh conflict resolution. Melik-Shahnazaryan emphasized that after U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and China’s strengthened position in Middle Asia, Russia will face far fewer problems. Top stories The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Yerevan City Council has elected Tigran Avniyan from the ruling Civil Contract as the mayor of the Armenian capital. The Armenian Parliament on Tuesday, October 3 voted to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Partner news | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Greek-Armenian organizations support "Tavush for Motherland" Greek-Armenian organizations have expressed support for the campaign led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan. |