The settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Moscow’s assistance in stabilizing the internal situation in Armenia will be the key issues at the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in Moscow on August 10th. This statement was announced by Sergey Markov and Vladimir Lepekhin in an interview with a Vestnik Kavkaza correspondent.
Director at the Institute of Political Studies, Sergey Markov, pointed out that the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is extremely close to the final breakthrough. "It can happen this year. The breakthrough may occur in accordance with the so-called ‘Kazan formula’, the essence of which is to exchange the seven districts around Nagorno-Karabakh, occupied by Armenia, on lifting of a blockade of Azerbaijan. The ‘Kazan formula’ can help to achieve serious agreements even now,’’ the analyst believes.
According to experts, another topic of talks between Putin and Sargsyan will be the destabilization of the political situation in Armenia, which was being observed during the last month. "Probably, Vladimir Putin would like to hear from firsthand about what's taking place there right now,’’ the director at the Institute of Political Studies said.
"I think that Russia and Armenia are allies. Both countries are members of the CSTO, Armenia started the process of joining the Eurasian Economic Community. Russia provides assistance to Armenia, and it is responsible for the economic, political stability in the country. Armenia is involved in such events where Russia is in the lead. Certainly, Russia is the donor of Armenia's economic development,’’ Sergey Markov noted.
Director at EAEC Institute, member of the Zinoviev club MIA Russia today, Vladimir Lepekhin, assumed that during the negotiations Sargsyan will tell Vladimir Putin what is actually happening in the country now. "Sargsyan will tell how the Armenian leadership is to move in the two directions. Firstly, how Armenia is going to carry out negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Secondly, how Armenia will be preparing for elections,’’ the expert said.
The political scientist said that Russia has not changed its attitude towards Armenia. It has always kept its word, and it has always been a reliable ally. "Armenia has no other allies. The fact is that a number of politicians in Armenia are betting on Europe and the United States, referring to some links of the Armenian diaspora in France, in Germany and the USA. Yes, the Diaspora has good contacts at the highest level in these countries, but it does not mean that they control the position of the state. It does’t guarantee that France, Germany or the United States will be reliable allies of Armenia,’’ Vladimir Lepekhin concluded.
