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Tert.am 28.06.17

Armenia's diplomacy and politics have seen the most serious omissions and drawbacks in our bilateral agenda with Ukraine, according to Ruben Mehrabyan, an associate expert at the Armenian Institute of International and Security Affairs.

Speaking at the debate devoted to the Armenia-Ukraine relations, the analyst highlighted an unused potential between the two countries, which he said could be effectively used in case  of mutual willingness and efforts.

In his words, the dramatic developments in Ukraine may predict also the future of other post-Soviet countries, including Armenia. “Ukraine will determine the kind of Russia Armenia is dealing or will deal with in future,” he added.

Mehrabyan said he regrets that Armenia underestimates Ukraine’s potentials which "top all the other member states of the EU Eastern Partnership Program”.

“If Armenia refuses to vote against a resolution adopted by all [the other countries], it may really leave very heavy and bitter sediments,” he said, citing the anti-Russian resolution on Crimea.

As another important factor, Mehrabyan highlighted the big Ukrainian-Armenian community’s role. Referring to an earlier remark by the country’s interior minister, Arsen Avakov (also an ethnic Armenian), he noted that over 52 Armenian volunteers have been killed since the eruption of hostilities in 2014.

“Armenia and Ukraine share a lot in common on the international arena today,” he said, adding that both countries sought the impeachment of Pedro Agramunt, the president of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly.

Mehrabyan further highlighted the two countries’ approach to the OSCE’s role and participation in regional processes.

“The Armenia-Ukraine relations should not be built on a third country's preferences. What is regrettable for me is the official Kiev’s position on Nagorn-Karabakh. Yet, we should seek our share of guilt here too,” he added.

The expert he thinks that the issues should be under the spotlight of Armenia’s political circles and civil society. “Armenia does not expect unilateral preferences by Ukraine. Maintaining positive relations with the country and being a transit state, Armenia can offer Ukraine the shortest route to the Persian Gulf. So our Foreign Ministry has to take serious efforts in that direction,” he added.