Armenian political scientist: "Moscow's approach to the resolution of the Karabakh problem has changed after Russia's recognition of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia"

The visit of the Russian President to Armenia proves that some tendencies, requiring the resolution of the Karabakh conflict, have developed in the region, said chairman of the Armenian Union of Political Scientist Amayak Ovannisyan.

The political scientist noted that the Karabakh issue, though important for Armenians, is an important regional problem, which can not be isolated from the complex of the Russian-Armenian relations.

"The problem is important in the sense of the political developments in the region and it was undoubtedly considered during the visit of Russian President to Armenia", noted he.

Ovannisyan said that the process of the resolution of the Karabakh issue is influenced by the fact that two self-declared states in the region were recognized by Russia.

The political scientist noted that after Russia recognized independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia Moscow's approach to the resolution of the Karabakh conflict also changed.

The expert noted that Medvedev's visit must be assessed not only in the sense of the resolution of the Karabakh issue but also on the background of regional and international processes, in which Armenia and Russia are interested as strategic partners.

"I do not agree when they say that the visit is connected with the extreme developments around the negotiation process. I consider that this is a planned visit, which is a response to Serzh Sargsyan's investigation", noted Ovannisyan.

He said though Russian President's visit was extraordinary but it was a logical continuation of the visit of President Sargsyan to Moscow.

The expert noted that the results of the meeting are concentrated on two of three issues: construction of a new unit of the nuclear power station and construction of the Iran-Armenia highway.

He noted that definite prospects are obvious in these two issues, yet the third issue, discussed since the last year - construction of an oil refinery in Armenia, is unclear.

According to Ovannisyan, the visit answered to several regional questions.

"It has become clear that Russia is not jealous about Armenia, as it is important for it to drag Azerbaijan to its side and exclude creation of the Tbilisi-Baku regional axle against the Moscow-Yerevan axle", said the political scientist, noting that the improvement of the Armenian-Georgian relations neutralizes the axle creation indirectly.

He noted that for this reason Moscow, despite most expectations, accepted the visit and the statements of Armenian President Sargsyan in Tbilisi normally.

Noting that the current leadership of Russia prefers to speak in open, Ovannisyan said Medvedev did not make any comments on the visit of the Armenian President to Georgia. He said this proves the diplomacy is a way coordinated with Russia.

/Regnum/