Sergey Markedonov: "Baku-Kars project became possible due to Russia's shortsightedness"

In his words, the matter first of all concerns Georgia. "By applying sanctions against Tbilisi Moscow anchored hope with Georgia's neighbors. Closing of Verkhni Lars checkpoint at the Russian-Georgian border July 7-8, 2006 aroused ambiguous reactions in Yerevan. Plenty of questions emerged between Armenia and Russia.

Armenian vice-speaker Vahan Hovhanniasian tied the checkpoint closure with tensed Russian-Georgian relations. 'Russian counterparts should understand that the steps targeted against Georgia are harmful for Armenia as well and maximal flexibility is needed in such circumstances,' he said at that time. The point is that all vital for Armenia communications are stretching via Georgia. However, Yerevan's discontent has a political motive as well. Deterioration of Armenian-Georgian relations is not profitable for Armenia," the Russian political scientist said.

According to him, situation in the Armenian-inhabited Javakheti region of Georgia is far from being stable and Yerevan clearly understands that Armenia will not stand a second Karabakh. "Armenia's disinterest in Kremlin's policy for restraining Georgia proceeds from this fact. Thus, Yerevan tries to maintain maximal reasonableness even somehow conniving the alarming situation in Javakhk through which a sector of the Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars is supposed to pass," underscored Markedonov.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/