Belarus leader’s “game of thrones” against Armenia ineffectiveOctober 25, 2013 - 17:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Belarus President’s strange statements may take some getting used to, with Alexander Lukashenko’s remarks being more in the vein of what Russian leader Vladimir Putin could say. A while ago, Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev gave Lukashenko $200 million for gas payments. Seems like Lukashenko decided it’s time to pay his dues by speaking against Armenia. As Lukashenko recently told CIS media leaders, Azerbaijan’s opinion needs to be considered in admitting Armenia to the Russia-led Customs Union. “Armenia has an unresolved territorial issue with Azerbaijan, so we have to consider the latter’s opinion,” he said. Lukashenko must be confusing things: first, it’s Russia, not Azerbaijan who decides the CU accession issues; second, the CU is not NATO which does not admit countries with unresolved conflicts. And finally: trying to play the first violin in all of the CIS organizations may turn out badly for Belarus. Lukashenko’s long-term presidency seems to be affecting his sense of reality. After all, his policy of pressuring Moscow and trying to gain leadership in CSTO and CU to demonstrate his irreplaceability may fall through. However, Belarus may prove to be not-so-irreplaceable: it’s even possible for Armenia to take its place in the CU hierarchy, being of more strategic importance to Moscow in the latter’s attempt to reaffirm its presence in the Caucasus and Near East. Lukashenko might have wanted to make some eccentric statement at a summit of CIS leaders in Moscow, but it’s unlikely he will. The summit is headed by Putin who cannot stand any statements aimed to undermine his leadership in the CIS. And once again: it’s not Baku’s business to decide on Armenia-related issues. Azerbaijan had better take care of its rigged elections and “caviar diplomacy” everyone is sick and tired of. Karine Ter-Sahakian/ PanARMENIAN.Net Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. |