June 23, 2010 - 15:36 AMT
RA President: economic and political projects in South Caucasus should secure balance and not aggravation of discrepancies

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said that the end of cold war has brought stability and peace to many countries. However, in some regions, including in the South Caucasus, more severe conflicts have started after the end of cold war, Sargsyan said during a sitting at Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Germany.

According to him, the construction of new independent countries was accompanied by hostilities, revolutions, economic crisis, and the society has become intolerant and militarized.

“Twenty years have passed. Have we learned lessons of our recent past? Judging from my studies, the answer is negative,” the Armenian President noted.

Meanwhile, he said it is important that economic and political projects implemented in the South Caucasus secure balance and do not lead to aggravation of discrepancies, as was the case with Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.

He said that many people considered this project to be a “world project,” “project of the century,” however, the hostilities in Georgia in August 2008, when the pipeline was not operating, did not cause any fluctuation in the world prices for oil.

“For me, this is the best estimation of the “world” significance of the oil pipeline,” noted Mr. Sargsyan. “What has the project brought to the region? It has led to deepening of separating lines, armament drive and strengthened warlike rhetoric. Is this the anticipated security and welfare? Far be it from the region to enjoy all the “fruits” of this project,” concluded the President.