ARMENIAN EXPERTS DOWNPLAY ISRAELI-ARAB CONFLICT’S IMPACT ON ARMENIA
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JULY 26, ARMENPRESS: An Armenian expert in Oriental studies
argued that the escalating situation in the Middle East is not having
and will not have any significant and direct impact on Armenia.
Nikolay Hovhanesian, the director of the Institute for Oriental
Studies, an affiliation of the National Academy of Sciences, told
Armenpress that the Israeli-Arab conflict may result in a peculiar
atmosphere to stir up serious concerns both in Armenia and the region
in general.
He said one of Armenia’s major concerns is what kind of
repercussions the conflict may have on relationships between
Armenia and the countries involved in the conflict, as well as on
Armenia’s relationships with other countries, which are behind the
conflict. "Though the escalating situation in the Middle East is
not very dangerous to Armenia, it, nevertheless, is not favorable
either. We have to evaluate the situation rightly," he said.
He said another major reason of concern for Armenia is the fate
of a strong Armenian community of Lebanon. He said the presence of
this community may have a direct impact on Armenia, recalling the
aftereffects of the 1975-1985 civil war in Lebanon that had a tragic
impact on the Armenian community, forcing thousands of Armenians
to emigrate to Europe and USA and dwindling the community by tens
of thousands.
Hovhanesian said the escalating situation may trigger another wave of
Armenian out-emigration from Lebanon. The Armenian expert downplayed
speculations that the attack on Lebanon is part of a covert strategy
to weaken Iran’s influence in the region.
"Iran is an old, but developed nation in the region with a vast
territory and huge scientific potential and strengthening or weakening
of its influence in the region cannot be linked with Hezbollah,
Hammas or other organizations," he opined.
He also emphasized Armenia’s relations with Iran saying this is
realized by all, including the USA, despite its strained relations
with Tehran.