What did Pashinyan and Tokayev discuss? EATU Intermediate Tent to be held in Cholpon-Ata

Against the backdrop of the crisis in Armenia-Russia relations and the future of Armenia’s membership in the EAEU, Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation with the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kasim-Jomart Tokayev.

According to the press release of the RA Government, the President of Kazakhstan congratulated Nikol Pashinyan on his re-appointment and wished him success for the good of Armenia and the Armenian people. According to the report, Pashinyan thanked Tokayev for the congratulation, as well as for awarding him with the highest state award during his official visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, emphasizing the importance of the consistent development of Armenia-Kazakhstan relations.

“At the same time, the Prime Minister wished President Tokaev success in the Kurulta elections to be held on August 23, emphasizing the strategic importance and consistency of the domestic and foreign policies implemented by him. The Prime Minister invited Kasim-Jomart Tokaev to visit Armenia. The president of Kazakhstan accepted the invitation,” the message said.

According to the report, the interlocutors also discussed a number of issues related to the agenda of Armenia-Kazakhstan relations, as well as reflected on the prospects of further development of cooperation. Before that, on the same day, Tokayev sent a congratulatory message to Pashinyan. And the remarkable thing is that in the message there is no mention of discussions on EAEU, when this has currently turned into the most urgent foreign policy issue of Armenia due to the economic restrictions and political ultimatum initiated by Russia against Armenia.

By the way, Tokayev was one of the EAEU leaders who adopted a statement on Armenia on May 29, proposing to hold a referendum in Armenia on the choice between the EU and the EAEU.

It is also worth reminding that the telephone conversation between Pashinyan and Tokaev takes place on August 6 in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, ahead of the meeting of the EAEU Intergovernmental Council. Nikol Pashinyan announced his participation in it weeks ago, noting that he will use the session to raise the problems that have arisen for Armenia in the Eurasian direction.

To remind, a few days ago, the informal meeting of the heads of the Central Asian states and Azerbaijan took place in Cholpon-Ata, where the issues of regional cooperation, transport corridors, energy interconnection and economic integration were discussed.

Returning to the Pashinyan-Tokaev telephone conversation, its context and deep layers are much wider than it seems at first glance. First of all, against the background of the growing crisis and accumulated problems around Armenia within the EAEU, it is obvious that Yerevan is trying to activate bilateral diplomatic channels, expecting some balancing support or at least constructive neutrality in contacts with Astana. Therefore, with high-level contacts, Nikol Pashinyan strives to reduce the political pressures exerted on Armenia on the Eurasian platform.

Russian analyst Vladimir Yevseyev in a conversation with us he stated that In recent years, Armenia-Kazakhstan relations have also changed, so during a high-level telephone conversation, bilateral developments and especially developments in the South Caucasus regarding transport and infrastructure issues can be discussed.

He mentioned that in recent years the direction of Central Asia-South Caucasus has acquired a completely different meaning.

“The convergence of Central Asia and the South Caucasus is taking place amid a broader geopolitical realignment, with major players seeking to reshape traditional trade routes. The “Middle Corridor” project and other projects arising from it bring the two regions closer together, many interested parties are trying to turn all this into a single logistic and economic area. Kazakhstan is an active participant in these logistics future plans, and discussions, judging by many developments, are ongoing with many other parties. Therefore, Yerevan and Astana have something to discuss in this sense.” said the analyst.

According to him, in the conditions of these realities, the Pashinyan-Tokaev dialogue is aimed not only at alleviating the existing tension in the EAEU, but also at reaching agreements between Yerevan and Astana in broad regional communications.

“Besides EAEU, Armenia and Kazakhstan currently have another agenda in the face of these projects.” he remarked.

As a result, the upcoming session of the EAEU Intergovernmental Council and the high-level contacts preceding it will become the litmus test that will show how well Armenian diplomacy manages to combine Eurasian harsh realities and new regional vectors. If Pashinyan, in the end, clearly raises the accumulated problems, and at the same time deepens bilateral economic ties with Central Asian partners, Armenia will be able not only to protect its interests, but also to breathe new life into the process of foreign policy diversification.” As for EAEU, the analyst believes that the President of Kazakhstan is congratulating Pashinyan considering this bilateral agenda.

“I think Kazakhstan has the same position in EAEU as before, when it joined the EAEU leaders’ statement. However, I do not think that Kazakhstan will publicly criticize Yerevan’s steps, but will also be guided by the consensus that prevails in EAEU on key issues. I think that Moscow will continue to raise this issue in the EAEU, because Kazakhstan had the closest relations with Armenia in the EAEU.”he said.

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