Elections in Yerevan vs. regional energy projects

PanARMENIAN.Net - But these are just the so-called inner aspects of the past elections. Much more important is the outer response that will affect Armenia 's position in the region much more seriously. In this respect great was the role of international observers, who arrived in Yerevan in a ridiculously small number. Fifteen observers are little even for a single polling station, but in previous elections the Council of Europe had precisely calculated all the consequences of the negative assessment for the region and decided to content itself with empty common phrases about democracy, competition and conformity to international standards. By the way, why should Armenia be an exception if elections in Asian states of the former USSR and even in most democratic Azerbaijan always get such an assessment? But the situation is much more serious. The unstable Armenia may presently be a headache for Europe, the Region, Russia and even the USA in realization of energy projects. At first sight there may seem to be nothing in common between the elections in Yerevan (not even throughout the whole state of Armenia ) and the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations. But as it turns out there is much in common: Armenia should be taken out of the zone of Russian influence as soon as possible and bend towards the West. Baku has yet failed to do it, but it has some objective reasons - the presence of hydrocarbons. As for Armenia , by its geographic and geopolitical position she is an excellent country for gas transfer, no matter how strange it may sound. Gas pipes Nord Stream and South Stream challenge the project of Nabucco but they are Russian and pass through the route, convenient for manipulation with Moscow through the gas cock.

However, all this is, so to say, superficial. Armenian-Turkish relations, if they are indeed normalized, will oblige Russia to reconsider her policy in the region and endeavour to play closely on the Armenian-Turkish relations. The essence is simple: good Russian-Turkish relations must push "friendly" Armenia to the counter step. Moscow makes just another attempt to press down on Yerevan , but this time the attempt may fail - Europe needs the entire region, and not individual countries. Moreover, it needs the region, conditionally called the Great Near East. But any country, even the smallest, may cause inconvenience by their dependence on Russia or on some other state.

Specifically from this point of view should we examine the present position of international observers on the elections in Yerevan. It is true that the opposition can entangle the plans, and, according to law about Yerevan, insist on re-conduct of elections, which, in principle, may have the same outcome. Moreover, in case of re-conduct of elections the Armenian National Congress may suffer a devastating defeat, from which it may never be able to recover.

Karine Ter-Sahakyan