“Russia wants us to decide on our alternative today, but now we are in the process of forming an alternative. We cannot specify an alternative now, because its object does not yet exist. In order to hold a referendum on such an issue, Armenia must at least have applied to the EU or received the status of a candidate for membership. At that time, the referendum will be logical and necessary,” Nikol Pashinyan said today.
This wording is at least puzzling. One gets the impression that Pashinyan first dismantles the current system of security and foreign policy of Armenia step by step, and then only starts looking for an “alternative”. That approach is more reminiscent of the logic of searching for a product on list.am than the responsible process of the state’s strategic orientation.
Moreover, if, according to the Prime Minister, Armenia is still only at the “stage of forming an alternative”, then by what logic is the government already implementing a policy of changing the country’s foreign policy direction? Why was the law “On starting the accession process of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union” adopted, if, according to Pashinyan, that “alternative” has not even been formed yet?
There is an obvious contradiction. on the one hand, the government is changing the foreign political vector of Armenia with practical steps, on the other hand, it declares that the subject of the final election does not exist yet. This does not create the impression of a consistent strategy, but of a situational policy, the possible consequences of which can be extremely severe for Armenia.
The economic reality is equally telling. If the European direction is already presented as the future of Armenia, and if, according to the authorities, the European market is open for Armenian products, then why is Nikol Pashinyan asking Russian President Vladimir Putin to remove export restrictions? This fact itself proves that the vital interests of the Armenian economy continue to be largely connected with the Russian market, and this reality cannot be replaced by political statements.
The strategic choice of the state cannot be based on wishes, assumptions or political improvisations. It should be formed on the basis of national security, economic interests, geopolitical realities and a clear state vision.
Therefore, the main question arises. Is Nikol Pashinyan acting based on calculations based on reality, or is he once again trying to create a “reality” that suits him with political statements? The recent history of Armenia has repeatedly shown that Armenia and the Armenian people paid the price for the collision of reality and the illusions created by the government.
Political scientist Suren Surenyants
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