December 19, 2009 - 13:32 AMT
Armenia must not repeat Serbia's mistakes
On December 17, Russian State Duma held an international conference entitled "21st century Balkans: geopolitical and strategic changes". Russian-Armenian Collaboration head, Yuri Navoyan also delivered a statement at the conference.

"Certain steps are undertaken to use Balkans' experience in the Caucasus," Navoyan stated, drawing parallels between situations with Caucasus and Balkans.

At the same time, he noted that Armenia is currently subjected to pressure, as rapprochement protocols, stipulating for Armenia's refusing from its historic rights, were imposed on the country.

Even ratification of protocols, which meet all of Turkey's demands, is linked to Armenia's concessions in Karabakh conflict settlement, where Armenia is persuaded against supporting its compatriots in Karabakh.

According to Yuri Navoyan, the situation resembles the 1995's collapse of Serbian Kraina in Croatia when the issue of protecting Serbian compatriots in Croatia and Bosnia rose.

"With the collapse of Serbia's Kraina, Balkans faced a new stage of tragedy. Serbia's turn came next," Yuri Navoyan noted.

Lessons from past have to be leant, he noted. "We have to consider the will of people and timely refuse obligations, which could entail loss of regional stability," he stressed.

Dwelling on recent events in Serbia, experts noted Turkey's important role in strengthening of Muslim population in Serbia.