In Armenia, in one of the hotels in Aghveran, Armenian businessmen also participated in the meeting with the delegation headed by the Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, Shahin Mustafayev. Although the names of the businessmen have not been made public, it is said that among others, the businessman Samvel Aleksanyan, who has always been close to the government, and the people from the company belonging to the family of Khachatur Sukiasyan, the ruling “Civil Agreement” faction MP, were also present.

168․am–Hrant Mikayelyan, a political economistasked whether this should be considered an alternative offered to the economic community of Armenia, in case of possible conflicts with the Russian Federation.  Are they preparing for an alternative?

“Definitely, of course. All the statements of the authorities are about the need to integrate into the Azeri-Turkish political line. An example is the connection of energy systems. this is against the interests of Armenia, but they have already announced it.

Moreover, there are no similar statements from the other side.  they are satisfied with on-duty announcements about some processes. This is the integration of Armenia into the East-West corridor,” he said.

To the question of what Armenia can export, because we see, through Azerbaijan, import from Azerbaijan, even if it is demonstrative, I think there is, the specialist answered, first drawing attention to the question of what format this will take place.

“Let’s put the economic relationship aside. In the background of ethnic cleansing and genocide in Artsakh, trade and business are politically unacceptable. In other words, it shows that we say it is normal.

From the economic point of view: it is very important in what format these relations are established: equal or not. In other words, do we have the same opportunities as them, do we have the opportunity to enter any territory of Azerbaijan, trade, travel, etc., do we have guaranteed security? What relationship framework is established? Otherwise, a product is secondary from one side to the other,” explained Hrant Mikayelyan.

The economist drew attention to another reality. In recent years, Azerbaijan has been actively studying what Armenia exports to Georgia and Russia in order to replace it and create an alternative, pushing out Armenian producers.

“But, in any case, if free economic relations are established, they will definitely create some opportunities to trade and export, definitely a product worth 200-300 million dollars can be exported to Azerbaijan. Will Azerbaijan import something else or not, and to what extent will equal conditions be created,” he remarked.

To the question: what is RA’s alternative at the moment, if Russia’s positioning in the region is passive, Iran is in conflict, and the USA and the West are solving their own problems here?

“Yes, Russia has distanced itself in the region… but Armenia should not hope that it can maintain the entire external front with relations with one country or bloc. It is necessary to realize that a multi-vector policy is necessary, and it primarily includes not Russia and the West, but Asian and even African countries, and especially India, China, Iran, Arab countries, etc. There is a huge potential there, much higher than in the West,” he answered.

Hrant Mikayelyan responded to the observation that the RA authorities are not doing this now. “Definitely not. this government does the opposite. In recent years, we have not developed any additional direction, but Russia’s direction is gradually collapsing at the initiative of the authorities. In other words, the range of external relations is not expanding, but narrowing. we have de facto no new partners. There is an insignificant widening in the western direction, but it is mostly at the level of Pyar.

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