Sergey Markedonov: "Yerevan tied of being hostage to Kremlin and Gazprom"

"In this view, hopes for Baku's joining the "anti-Tbilisi" pact were not justified. Moscow's wish to restraint Azerbaijan encouraged Baku for activation of talks with NATO and conclusion of a trilateral agreement. Meanwhile, implementation of a railway project bypassing Armenia strengthens Azerbaijan's positions more than Turkey's.

Sergey Markedonov recollected the words of Turkish researcher Burcu Gultekin, who said that Turkish policy is a hostage to relations with Azerbaijan. "In her opinion, 'opening of borders can make Armenians see Turkey in a better light and bring the relations between the two states out of today's crisis.' Actually, Baku receives an extra trump card in its game in the South Caucasus. On one hand, a railroad will bypass Armenia, on the other hand, Azerbaijan will tie Georgia's hands with a credit. Furthermore, neither Turkey nor the U.S. incumbent administration will stand against. Thus, Russia's rude and shortsighted moves to hold Baku in check gave birth to new problems in the South Caucasus," the Russian political scientist said.

In his opinion, it's not surprising that Armenia tries to join the Transcaspian gas pipeline. "Although Armenia is not included in the list of constructors the aspiration of the republic to find 'insurance' sources to symbolically come out of Russia's energy guardianship. Yerevan is tired of being hostage to Kremlin and Gazprom and is not ready for the role of geopolitical infantry in combinations against Tbilisi and Baku. Moscow needs serious reconsideration of its policy of "energy imperialism." This tool is not working well and no one has been forced to knees so far. On the contrary, it attracted 'non-regional players' and strengthened a pro-western tendency among the post-soviet states," said Markedonov.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/