Azerbaijani expert: Armenia lost its independence with new agreement

Armenia lost its independence with the military agreement signed last week between Russia and Armenia, which renewed Moscow's lease on a military base in Gumri for 24 years, Head of Azerbaijan-based Center for Political Innovations and Technologies Mubariz Ahmadoglu said today.

"Armenia lost its independence. Armenia became part of Russia from economic, political and legal points of view. Thus, the foundation for a dual power was laid in Armenia. Now, Russia will do everything that the Defense Minister [of Armenia] became pro-Russian and pursued  interests of Russia in Armenia. One can say, Russia has privatized Armenia," Ahmadoglu said.

Russia and Armenia signed a protocol last week amending the 1995 bilateral agreement on the Gumri base, extending Moscow's lease by 24 years, RIA Novosti reported. The document was undersigned by the Armenian and Russian defense ministers.

He said with the signing of the agreement Armenia become even more conflicting country.

Armenia is a conflicting state. Armenians earn money on conflicts. They are preparing for a new conflict. Of course, they want to ensure their safety before starting the conflict. Therefore, they signed such an agreement," Ahmadoglu said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied territories.


/Trend/