Turkey Should Not Hamper EU, It Can Be Bypassed EventuallyNovember 18, 2006 - 15:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The signing of the EU-Armenia Action Plan is a road in two directions: from Europe to the Caucasus and from Caucasus to Europe, analyst from US Richard Giragosian stated in Yerevan. In his words, the Plan provides for economic reforms, as well as military security. «The region should become a zone of military and energy stability. In the future the Action Plan will spread on Morocco, Jordan, Israel and Ukraine. From the geopolitical point of view, EU involvement in South Caucasian countries is also a step from Turkey towards Iran, as Turkey should not hamper EU enlargement. It can be bypassed eventually,» he noted. The EU is a competitor to the US, but at the same time a counterbalance to Russia, he underscored. As for the Action Plan itself, in the opinion of the American analyst, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia differ much. «Georgia aspires to Europe more actively, using the NATO to that end, Azerbaijan leans towards Central Asia not only in energy, but also in the military field. And only Armenia implements the Plan all alone, proceeding from the barest necessity. The loneliness, along with too close relations with Russia, is dangerous to Armenia. However, Yerevan, not Brussels decides how the events will develop,» Giragosian said. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | U.S., Armenia sign customs deal According to Armenian customs data, U.S.-Armenian trade reached $670 million last year. Glendale mayor to visit Yerevan Asatryan last visited Armenia in December 2022-January 2023 as she helped establish a partnership between Armenia’s Opera House and Los Angeles Opera. Ucom’s fixed network launches in Nor Hachn City residents will be able to use fixed-line Internet, mobile communications and television in one package at more affordable prices. Ambassador summoned to Russia returns to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin has returned to Yerevan more than two weeks after being recalled to Moscow for consultations. |