The interview of the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Armenia Sergey Copirkin in "168 Zham" newspaper.
Mr. Ambassador, what are the key challenges facing Armenia's allied relations? What steps does Russia expect to strengthen bilateral relations from the Armenian government? Is it expected to review the bilateral military cooperation agreement?
I will start with the main one. Armenia is our close ally and key economic partner in the Caucasus. This complex of multilateral bilateral relations is needed to strengthen and update, adjust the rapidly changing realities in the region and the world.
Armenian-Russian relations are being mature. These processes are complicated, but the main thing is that Moscow and Yerevan mutually seek to overcome all the difficulties in partnership, allied, all levels of open and reliable dialogue.
As for the challenges, I will emphasize the fact that our countries are openly and grossly trying to "exporganize" from each other. Different political manipulations, information activities, just open lies and defamation are put into action to solve this naughty task. Who is behind it is well known, as well as the mania of "Russia's strategic defeat". We hope for the wisdom of the Armenian people, which understands that he understands who his true friend is, and who is the enemy.
What are Russia's long-term interests in the South Caucasus region?
I would not separate Russia from the South Caucasus. It is enough to look at the map to make sure that it is our country, its inalienable part, therefore, is the direct participant of all the processes there. The volume, geography, history of our ties with the Transcaucasian states predetermine the vital need for strong peace and stability in the region, its economic prosperity and the exposing of the transport potential. Russia's interest in this is Russia's interest in Armenia's reliable protected and economically strong statehood.
In accordance with this position, we are ready to make every effort to promote the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Russian side welcomed the end of the agreement on the text of the peace agreement, expressed readiness to support the promotion of the reconciliation process and to resolve the controversial issues in the forms and volumes that will be required by the parties. We are always happy to provide our platform to discuss issues related to the signing of the peace agreement, the unblocking of transport communications, the demarcation of the interstate border, and humanitarian issues and other issues.
What format does Russia offer to stabilize the situation in the region? Is it possible to have a new security format with the participation of Russia, Iran and Armenia?
We don't need to invent anything. There is a high-level cooperation between Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, as a result of which a complex of comprehensive announcements of 2020-2022 has accumulated. According to the leaders, a trilateral working group of unblocking economic and transport communications in the South Caucasus was established in January 2021, with a co-chair of Deputy Prime Ministers.
At the same time, the Russian side has repeatedly expressed its opinion that the fate and future of the South Caucasus must decide on the countries of the region and their neighbors. The key to the prosperous and stability of the Transcaucasia is an inclusive dialogue, the search for mutually acceptable answers to all the issues and the neutralization of attempts to involve region in foreign geopolitical schemes by external forces.
Acting this Understanding, we have actively supported the creation of the "3 + 3" regional cooperation platform (on one hand, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, on the other hand, Russia, Iran, Turkey). Two sittings have already been convened at the level of foreign ministers. Georgians are still following the process, but they have made it clear that all participants are waiting for them at the negotiating table. The next meetings should be held in Yerevan and Baku in order to be determined by the parties. In addition to the maturation of the necessary conditions, it is quite possible to discuss regional security issues as much as possible.
Within this platform, cooperation can be strengthened by Russia, Armenia and Iran's contacts, foreign policy issues and cultural-humanitarian issues, understanding that these discussions will replace bilateral agreements and work within the framework of already established regional formats.
What role does the West play in the region from Moscow's point of view, and how does it affect Russia's policy? To what extent does Russia take the statements of the Armenian authorities to expand relations with the EU and the United States?
First of all, I would like to warn the spread of stereotypical opinions that Russia, according to the definition, is against any activity and presence of Western countries. Not at all. For us, it is important for us what real goals and objectives come to the South Caucasus.
Unfortunately, we have long been recorded, and non-good intentions are hidden behind the adulthnations of the Western states in the region. By the way, their official representatives themselves are "gulpful" immediately after the launch of a special military operation in Ukraine. The officials of the US State Department, the EU and its member states "threw the masks" and began to openly declare that they intend to reduce Russia's "malignant" influence in the South Caucasus. Their psychiatric connection between Yerevan and Moscow is associated with the pretext of helping Armenian colleagues in the issue of "diversification of relations".
Armenia, as a sovereign country, has undoubtedly all rights to develop relations with whom it wants to. At the same time, we reasonably expect that our Armenian allies will not allow the Russian-European forces to open their wonderful country to the "second front" of the confrontation with Russia, as well as their participation in the dynamically developing processes of Eurasian integration.
