Russia is the main player in the South Caucasus, Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan said in an interview with Echo Moskvy radio.
Russia may establish peace and welfare in the region, he believes.
The president said that Russia is capable of restraining the armaments
drive and military activity in the region.
Concerning Nagorno-Karabakh, Sargsyan said the only way to settle the
conflict should be peaceful. Resolving the issue should be carried out
via a referendum or the referendum of 1991 of the Soviet law.
The president said that Armenians would rather not lose a single spot
of the land. Yet, he added, compromises are necessary for long-term
peace.
Georgia is an important link. Over 70% of Armenian trade turnover runs
through Georgia, he said.
Sargsyan said that the property of the Armenian Apostolic Church in
Georgia is a complicated issue. It is discussed with the Georgian
president. Georgia is also a member of the Council of Europe, which
means that it has international obligations.
Commenting on the North-South pipeline that transports Russian gas to
Armenia, the president said that there are constant affirmations that
Georgia will not sell the pipeline or other infrastructure components.
Georgia is obliged to allow transit of gas. Armenia pays 10% of the
gas price for transit.
Sargsyan noted that Armenia would be happy if the relations between
Russia and Georgia were restore after the conflict over South Ossetia.
European partners, the USA, and Russia are aware of Armenian-Iranian
relations, he said. The president said that Armenia has a large
community in Iran. The two countries have good economic ties. Joint
construction of a hydro electric plant started on Aras River. There
are other joint projects as well.
Sargsyan said that ties with Iran are also important due to
Azerbaijani trying to bring in the Nagorno-Karabakh issue in
perspectives, depending on the audience. At an assembly of Turkic
states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference they are trying
to make it look like a religious conflict. There is no religious
conflict, Armenians built churches in Iran and had the opportunity to
preserve their identity, language, culture and traditions, the
president underlined.
