Moscow, Yerevan dynamically developing co-operation

[Baluarte]

Moscow, Yerevan dynamically developing co-operation

http://en.itar-tass.com/world/709821

http://cdn.itar-tass.com/tass/m2/en/uploads/i/831577.jpg

YEREVAN, December 02. /ITAR-TASS/. Morden Armenian-Russian relations are relations of alliance, strategic partnership and dynamically developing cooperation, said Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan who is co-chair of the intergovernmental economic cooperation commission with Russia. He spoke on Monday at a ceremony of opening of a monument to Russian-Armenian friendship that was attended by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

“Truly, modern Armenian-Russian relations are special,” the prime minister stated. “They are not simply relations of alliance, strategic partnership and dynamically developing co-operation.” Relations with Russia “cannot be characterized by simple quantitative data,” Sargsyan stressed. “Our relations are bonded by mutual support and centuries-old friendship, they are based on common values,” he said.

“Because of this, they have stood the test of time, were forged on the battlefields of two world wars and managed to resist all the temptations and challenges of the modern world,” said the prime minister.

The One Cross Monument, thanks to the skill of the artist “embodies the deepest emotions and feelings nourished by two our peoples towards each other,” Sargsyan said. This monument is the “epitome of the multifaceted cultural and human ties between Armenia and Russia, the path that we have covered side by side, and the spiritual foundation on which we have built and continue to build our relationship,” he added. “This sculpture, presented to us by remarkable artist Friedrich Sogoyan, is also a kind of message to the next generation, a reminder of the values ·· that unite us, creating a firm foundation for the future,” Sargsyan said.

[Musso]

It is a no-brainer to continue our strategic relations with Russia as a counter to the Turkic alliance in the region. That being said, we have tried as hard as we can to diversify our political relations between Russia, Europe, and the US. While we lean more towards Russia, because of the security component, we continue to hold warm relations with the West.

[Baluarte]

It is a no-brainer to continue our strategic relations with Russia as a counter to the Turkic alliance in the region. That being said, we have tried as hard as we can to diversify our political relations between Russia, Europe, and the US. While we lean more towards Russia, because of the security component, we continue to hold warm relations with the West.

I found a good essay that recapitulates every area of cooperation and the positive effects it's had for the Armenians:

----------------------------------------------------------------------


Russia and Armenia’s Strategic Partnership Given New Impetus

By Mikhail AGHAJANYAN

http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2013/12/05/russia-and-armenia-strategic-partnership-given-new-impetus.html

On 2 December, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Armenia. The state visit began in the republic’s second largest city, Gyumri, in the outskirts of which is located the Russian 102nd Military Base, covering the border between Armenia and Turkey.

Russia traditionally holds a strong position in Armenia. In 2010, the presence of the 102nd Military Base was increased to 49 years, with the opportunity for this to be automatically extended for subsequent five-year periods. In the same year, the function of the military base was extended to encompass the joint protection of the republic’s security with the Armenian armed forces. Russia has also promised to assist its ally by supplying “modern and compatible weapons, and military (special) equipment”. Over the past three years, the countries have reached a high level of military and technical cooperation.

Certified centres and joint ventures for the repair and maintenance of weapons and military equipment are being set up in Armenia. The republic is able to carry out repairs and service equipment produced by companies in the Russian military and industrial complex on site. This includes armoured vehicles, anti-aircraft weapons, helicopters, and UAZ (Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant) and KAMAZ (Kama Automobile Plant) motor fleets. The joint enterprise KAMAZ-Armenia, for example, is going to be responsible for the repair and maintenance of the Armenian Defence Ministry’s fleet of trucks. There has also been marked progress on the creation of joint military enterprises in Armenia involving Russia. The objective is to organise Armenia’s defence industry, with Russia’s help, for the production of certain types of ammunition and armoured vehicles, and to set up assembly plants for the production of cars based on the KAMAZ chassis.

At the same time, Russia and Armenia are undertaking specific military measures to develop their military and technical ties. Among these should be noted the increase in the combat readiness of the 102nd Military Base by Russia. The personnel of the 102nd Military Base are constantly being replenished with contract soldiers. The professional component of the base’s staff numbers has taken over air force, air defence and intelligence units almost completely. The aviation element of Russia’s military presence in Armenia, which is structurally part of the base (the 426th Air Group is located at Erebuni Airport), is going to include a helicopter squadron in the near future.

The Armenia-Russia intergovernmental committee on military and technical cooperation is also operating successfully. In June 2013, Armenia and Russia signed an agreement on the development of military and technical cooperation.

The close cooperation between Russia and Armenia with regard to military and technical cooperation was the basis for the strengthening of bilateral economic ties and Armenia’s inclusion in the processes of integration into Euroasia.

Before Yerevan made the decision to join the Customs Union, there were a number of disputes surrounding Armenia’s choice between Eurasian and European integration trends. These disputes have now lost their urgency. Even those in Yerevan who are fervently in support of the European option are beginning to realise that the progressive strengthening of Russia’s economic position in Armenia defeats the purpose of any previously formed plans for associating the republic with the European Union... Russia is Armenia’s biggest trade partner (23.5 percent of total foreign trade turnover at the end of 2012). Russia also accounts for more than 40 percent of all foreign investments in the Armenian economy. There are nearly 1300 businesses in operation in Armenia involving Russian capital (more than a quarter of all businesses in the country that include foreign capital). Russia’s economic presence in strategically-important sectors like nuclear energy, the gas transport system, rail transport, and communications strengthens the feeling of solidity of Russia’s position in the Armenian market. This was particularly noticeable following the visit by Russia’s head of state, which resulted in the signing of a number of agreements, including an action plan for 2014-2017 to implement a programme of long-term economic cooperation between Armenia and Russia for the period up to 2020.

The future development of economic relations between Russia and Armenia is a priority issue for both countries. Russia is going to build a new nuclear power plant unit in Armenia, it has undertaken the concessionary management of Armenia’s railway system, the development of which is going to include an investment of 15 billion roubles, and it occupies an almost dominant position in the Armenian telecommunications market.

The Russian president’s visit to Armenia came at a rather difficult period in the development of international relations. It is also impossible to ignore the fact that, little by little, disagreements and conflicts are being resolved with the use of force rather than a diplomatic approach. This tendency has not yet become universal, but the process of Eurasian economic integration currently gathering momentum is giving it stability. At present, the benefits of Eurasian integration – that it has a solid historical foundation and involves the reconstruction of the best of the cooperation ties developed when the post-Soviet republics were part of a common state with a single economic system – are clearly shining through.

[Musso]

The European Union gave us no security guarantees. That's why we didn't go ahead with the Association Agreement. With the Eurasian Union, Russia gives us weapons and gas at domestic price, their military base is a deterrent to Turkey attacking us, and since there are over 1 million Armenians in Russia and many Armenians that send back money from Russia to Armenia, not to mention the high amount of Russian investments in Armenia. Going with Russia over Europe hence was a no-brainer. Yeah, Europe does have a bigger market, but the main component that was missing was security, which only Russia is willing to give us.

[Baluarte]

but the main component that was missing was security, which only Russia is willing to give us.

I think it's normal. The European Union's defence mechanisms are all linked to protocols and structures written and coordinated by NATO (there is no real autonomy when it coms to European military capacity) . They are not about to help or provides materials to a country like Armenia, which has a tradition of being closer to the Russian sphere.

[Musso]

I think it's normal. The European Union's defence mechanisms are all linked to protocols and structures written and coordinated by NATO (there is no real autonomy when it coms to European military capacity) . They are not about to help or provides materials to a country like Armenia, which has a tradition of being closer to the Russian sphere.

Yeah and NATO doesn't suit us, as Turkey is a member of NATO. In the end, the priority for any country is its security. Russia gives us that. And the populace overwhelmingly supports the alliance with Russia. Russian-Armenian links are deep and historical.

I don't support cutting all ties with the West though. I think we should be on good terms with all sides. We continue to reform our governance system based on EU advice and help. We have good relations with the USA. We even hold warm ties with Iran. Not many countries are able to balance all of this.