European Union or Russia?

[Metsamor]

Which influence would you prefer for Armenia? And why? It is a fact that Russia is against the communion of Armenia with the European Union, and our poor compatriots are now at a loss trying to decide which way they should go. Any opinion on this topic?

[IAmMadAtAC]

Which influence would you prefer for Armenia? And why? It is a fact that Russia is against the communion of Armenia with the European Union, and our poor compatriots are now at a loss trying to decide which way they should go. Any opinion on this topic?

Very good question for a thread! I've been monitoring Armenian news lately and it seems out of nowhere in the past few weeks all of a sudden Armenia has gone from being squarely behind Russia to a western-favoring state. It was so quick I was quite suprised by it. I'm not sure how I feel about it, because I really don't know enough about politics (or predicting the future!) to know what'd be best for us. There are cons to sticking with Russia, like I think it might hold us back in some ways, but Russia is getting desprate, losing its former states one by one. Being one of its few it'll do a lot for us to keep us with it. With the west, there's no secret that the US is trying to start a western revolution in Armenia. I don't like the idea of a revolution starting in Armenia, esp. with such an incomptent oppoisition from what I hear. The US already has so many puppets it doesn't really need Armenia that much (though lately I've been hearing that it actually does) and if we just go over to the US, it doesn't really need to do much to appease us, cause we'd be just one of many. I feel it might take more advantage of Armenia with it on its side, but really I don't know what would happen.

[Hayq]

Ah, politics...

If we go to the EU, Armenians will have a better living standard. However, there is a catch, we have to cooperate HEAVILY with the "hated" Azeris and Georgians. If Armenia goes with the EU, i feel it is going to be restricted from Artsakh and ever expanding itself. If we go with Russia, we are poor, but our chances of expanding are greater? I dont know and seriously see nothing neither can give us.

[TJ]

firstly, how do you cooperate "heavily"? secondly what would be wrong with cooperating? would you rather have war and poverty for Armenia until the end of time? And why would the EU, the "Christian Club", give Artsakh to Azerbaijan and "restrict" us from it? Our chances of expanding or progressing in any way under russia are zilch, because the only way Russia keeps its influence in its countries is by keeping them fighting with each other, weak and mired in poverty and corruption, otherwise when people open their eyes they see they have no damn reason at all to be supporting russia.

your comments are baseless and frankly pretty stupid hayq.

[Hayq]

Because the EU, like any other organization,looks out for its best interest. They are not a "Christian Club", they are an organization looking to equal the strength of America. If the EU is to be strong by aiding the Oil Rich Azeris by pleasing them with this small piece of land, then they will do it.

Why are you insulting ME instead of my COMMENTS, again?

[Dave]

If Turkey and Armenia both become EU members, there would be a influx of Turks into Armenia, which would be bad even if our problems with them aren't solved.

[Metsamor]

If Turkey and Armenia both become EU members, there would be a influx of Turks into Armenia, which would be bad even if our problems with them aren't solved.

Wrong! Anyone, knowing how Armenians in Armenia would treat any turks, wouldn't have such a fear. EU can't make it all honey and milk. It's inluence can't mutilate the nation's moral. We all have been brought up to be well aware of our enemies...

[TJ]

Because the EU, like any other organization,looks out for its best interest. They are not a "Christian Club", they are an organization looking to equal the strength of America. If the EU is to be strong by aiding the Oil Rich Azeris by pleasing them with this small piece of land, then they will do it.

Why are you insulting ME instead of my COMMENTS, again?

As much as you would like to think it is, the EU is far from becoming anything as integrated or united as a country, "christian club" refers to the fact that they are all Christian and a lot of them like to keep it that way, they are not lookin to equal America but rather to balance it economically, they have neither the unity nor the strenght to formulate a united foreign policy and implement it as America does. Azerbaijan's oil is not make or break for the EU, unlike the US the EU is looking forward to alternate sources of energy and leads the world in terms of Nuclear, thermodynamic, hydro and wind power. Plus they have a lot friendlier relations with a lot of middle east countries than does America and dont need to xxxxx themselves for oil like America either.

And if you read what i wrote you would see i called your comments baseless and stupid, not you, but continue on this way and maybe you might change my mind.

[TJ]

Wrong! Anyone, knowing how Armenians in Armenia would treat any turks, wouldn't have such a fear. EU can't make it all honey and milk. It's inluence can't mutilate the nation's moral. We all have been brought up to be well aware of our enemies...

I completely agree.

[CatWoman]

Ofcouse the EU, Armenia would join the EU right now if she could... but too bad she's not ready for it yet. The first step in joining the EU is to fight corruption. Russia is even more corrupted than Armenia, so I don't think Russia's influence on us can really be that positive, but the EU’s would. By joining the EU, Armenia can improve its economy a great deal by increasing the foreign investments and exports creating more jobs and decreasing its unemployment rate; but with Russia, we’ll stay as we are… So I say definitely the EU.

Hayq, the Artsakh issue will be solved by the time we’re ready to join the EU… and as far as it restricting Armenia from expanding itself, Armenia won’t be expanding anytime soon. There are too many other serious things to worry about than expansion. We don’t have enough population to fill the lands we already got, we definitely won’t be expanding until we solve that and many other problems, and with EU we can overcome those better than we would if we stay with Russia.