Victor Zubkov's visit is of both Armenia's and Russia's interest and it should be regarded from this very point of view

PanARMENIAN.Net - However, one of the reasons of Zubkov's visit, in our opinion, is supporting Armenia in the sphere of Russia's influence, because if Armenia also "goes" to the USA and Europe, Russia will have nothing to do here. According to the Deputy Director of the Center of Caucasian Studies at Moscow State Institute of International Relations Professor Vladimir Zakharov, at present Russia lacks a distinguished politics regarding the countries of Southern Caucasus. "Southern Caucasus is becoming one of the priority directions of NATO. A new regional geopolitical plan is being held here, which may leave Russia out," said Zakharov.

The Professor also mentioned that Georgia and Azerbaijan have practically "separated" from Russia. "Having lost Armenia, Russia will never be able to return to South Caucasus any more," he emphasized. According to him, any armed conflict in Georgia will become a reason for the USA to enter the region, and consequently, to prepare for the possible attack on Iran.

Moscow's fears regarding the expansion of the region by the USA and NATO are completely justified; however the expansion is carried out just as it used to be in the times of the USSR; i.e. the main aim was to scare the "partner" as much as possible or to leave it standing in front of a choice. None of them may be convenient to Armenia. We shouldn't be deluded with Russia's promises. Other than xenophobia, taking away lives of the Armenians in Russia, there is one more very important issue - Turkey. On February 16 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Ali Babacan is going to Moscow. The times, when Moscow considered Turkey an enemy, have long gone. Now Russia is interested in Turkey, especially in the light of frequent deteriorations of the relations of Turkey with the USA. Armenia must be ready to the fact that in the worst case the year of 1921 may repeat itself, when Mustafa Kemal Atatьrk signed an agreement with Lenin exchanging the necessary weapon with the Armenian Issue. From this very point of view Treaty of Kars signed behind Armenia's back should be considered.

But all this is a history. For the present the Armenian-Russian relations are quite stable and have quite good perspective. After all, it is quite likely that Russia is going to be the one to establish a new atomic power-plant, which is already a rather serious fact. Nevertheless, Victor Zubkov's visit is of both Armenia's and Russia's interest and it should be regarded from this very point of view.

According to the Russian Prime Minister, Russia is Armenia's main foreign investor. "The total bulk of Russia's investment at the rate of $1 milliard is a serious argument for our intention of developing the c o-operation. Joint investment projects are quite successfully realized. These projects embrace all the new fields, including the field of nuclear-power engineering, diamond manufacture, as well as the sphere of telecommunication," he said.

Victor Zubkov also mentioned that Russia still holds the status of the external economic partner of Armenia. "Over the last two years the two-sided commodity circulation has grown for 60% and has got past the point of $700 million, which is a very high index," he said. According to Zubkov, "This is not the limit and the $1 milliard boundary will be past in the near future.

Serge Sargsyan, confirming his colleague's words, mentioned that this boundary may be reached in the near future, since "the potential is much greater".