During the 30 years of the post-Soviet period, Armenia has failed to become fully independent and have its say in relations with its own partners, Director of Report News Agency Fuad Huseynaliyev said in an interview with Baku.TV.
Huseynaliyev noted that the government of Armenia still has not determined a clear direction of its foreign policy line. In addition, Armenia has long been looking for the opportunity to change the patronage of Russia to another country, now it sees its salvation in France, he said.
This is evidenced by the deployment of the EU civilian mission in Armenia, and the establishment of the French military mission at the embassy in Yerevan, Report’s director believes, adding that it is likely that in the end all this may lead to the withdrawal of the Russian military base in Gyumri.
However, the consequences of this will be painful for Armenia itself, because, among other things, Russia has significant investments in Armenia.
There is hope that the new command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent temporarily stationed in Azerbaijan will not repeat the mistakes of Andrey Volkov: they will disarm illegal armed formations in Karabakh, and will also impartially and honestly fulfill the duties assigned to them in accordance with the tripartite statement of November 2020.
“Volkov, by his activity as the head of the peacekeeping forces of the Russian Federation, completely discredited himself by supporting separatist aspirations,” Huseynaliyev noted.
Speaking about the establishment of a checkpoint on the Lachin road, the director of the news agency noted that this is the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan, which means that all cargo and movement across the border in this territory should be controlled by border guards.
“The issue of creating a checkpoint is long overdue, because the Lachin road was repeatedly used to transport weapons, mines and other illegal goods. The day before the installation of the checkpoint, the vehicle of the Azerbaijani armed forces was blown up by a mine planted by Armenian separatists. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but servicemen were injured. This was probably the last straw,” he said, reminding that after the start of the rally of Azerbaijani eco-activists, Armenian separatists attempted to transport weapons by roundabout routes.
He recalled that Azerbaijan, represented by the president of the country, has repeatedly stated about the possibility of the Armenian population of Karabakh to get the right to live peacefully on the territory of Azerbaijan, having received citizenship. However, if they do not agree with this condition, they can leave, he added.