The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

Unpredictable Russia

Relations between Russia and the European Union have been going up and down for nearly three years. At first sight, they look fine, yet no progress has been made in drafting and signing practical agreements. Both parties live according to temporary rules, although we realize that such a state of affairs is detrimental. Is there a chance to alter improve the relations? It is a tricky question. The Caucasus war has stalled Russia-EU dialogue revived during a summit held in Khanty-Mansiisk, West Siberia, last June. The Baltic countries and Poland have serious doubts that dialogue can be resumed before the end of this year, especially since the EU has approved a coordinated stance on Abkhazia and South Ossetia and is insisting that Russia officially recognize Georgia’s territorial integrity. The EU cannot understand Russia’s current or future policy. This is why it is not keen to accept President Dmitry Medvedev’s proposal to start discussing a new European security system. Many in Europe fear that Russia’s goal is to destroy existing security institutes, notably the OSCE. Brussels does not need an open conflict with Russia, especially in conditions of a global economic crisis, which has upped energy security stakes. However, it may change its stance if a new gas war breaks out between Russia and Ukraine. Until recently, dialogue with France, Germany and Italy has been more important to Russia than its relations with the whole of the EU, for understandable reasons. But in future this scheme will not be as effective as it is now, given the continued consolidation and upcoming change in the EU power system. Russia is not ready for this change. A new partnership and cooperation agreement between Russia and the EU, which should provide the basis for their relations in the coming decade, should settle disputes and create a stable mechanism of political and economic cooperation, possibly including the creation of a free trade zone. The longer they delay drafting of the agreement, the less chance of the EU working normally. So, the only thing Russia and the EU can do now is to start working openly and informally on key aspects of the future agreement, so as to create at least the foundation for their future cooperation. It is essential; it is in line with the two parties’ interests. The outcome of the U.S. presidential election is bound to have effect on the European policy. Presumably, it is going to be a negative impact. At the end of the day, it is Trans-Atlantic solidarity, not relations with Russia that has always been the EU’s priority.

Source: http://www.kommersant.com/p1040386/E...rstand_Russia/

In other news:

Russian strategic bombers complete week-long drills

Russian strategic bombers have successfully completed a series of large-scale, week-long exercises, the Long-Range Aviation commander said on Tuesday. The drills, part of the Stability 2008 strategic command and staff exercises, were conducted on October 6 through 12 under the command Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin, Air Force commander, involving over 30 warplanes. "A total of 40 sorties have been flown with an aggregate of 300 flying hours clocked," Maj. Gen. Pavel Androsov said. The Stability-2008 maneuvers are being conducted in various parts of Russia and Belarus with the goal of practicing strategic deployment of the Armed Forces, including the nuclear triad, to counter potential threats near Russia's borders. They started on September 22 and will last until October 21. Russian strategic bombers, Tu-160 Blackjacks and Tu-95MS Bear-Hs, have flown with full combat payloads and launched all of their standard-issue cruise missiles for the first time in over two decades. Tu-95MS and Tu-160 aircraft can carry six and 12 Kh-55 (AS-15 Kent) long-range cruise missiles, respectively. The Air Force has said the scope of the exercise is unprecedented, involving the Tu-22M3 Backfire strategic bombers, air superiority fighters, interceptors and aerial tankers. According to various sources, in addition to 16 Tu-160 bombers the Russian Air Force currently has 40 Tu-95MS bombers and 141 Tu-22M3 bombers in service.

Source: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081014/117727246.html

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

Russia Transfers Islands to China

Russia transferred control over half of Bolshoi Ussuriisky Island and all of Tarabarov Island to China today. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, a ceremony will be held in which representatives of the Russian and Chinese Foreign Ministries, Defense Ministries, Border services and local authorities will take part. Russia and China reached an agreement on dividing up the disputed islands in the Amur River in 2004. The border was legally established only in July 2007, however, in a supplemental protocol describing the borderline singed the countries’ foreign ministers. That protocol comes into force today, completing the demarcation of the entire Russian-Chinese border. Negotiations between Russia and China on disputed territories have gone on for over 40 years. The islands of Bolshoi Ussuriisky and Tarabarov, along with the small islands surrounding them, form a land mass of about 375 sq. km.

Source: http://www.kommersant.com/p-13394/r_...tions_borders/

World’s biggest country becomes a little bit smaller

Russia has officially handed over part of its territory to China, settling a border dispute that goes back centuries. Following an agreement signed in 2004 China has been granted the whole of Tarabarov island and part of Bolshoy Ussuriysky island. Both islands are situated in the Amur river. The ceremony was attended by Russian and Chinese diplomats, as well as local and military officials. It’s hoped this will finally settle all frontier disputes between two countries. The long awaited transfer comes as part of the deal struck between Moscow and Beijing in 2004. About 170 square kilometres of Bolshoy Ussuriysky was transferred to China, while the rest will remain in Russia's jurisdiction. The total area of these territories located in the Khabarovsk region is approximately 340 square kilometres. The two sections make up less than two per cent of the Russian-Chinese border, which stretches to some 4,200 kilometres. Evgeny Bazhanov, a Russo-Chinese relationships expert, who’s spent years working on a solution to the island issue, sees the move as a geopolitical breakthrough. “Thanks to this resolution we have a multilaterally approved and documentarily stated border with China, which is a big breakthrough in international relations. For instance, our relations with Japan are at a standstill because of a dispute about four small islands,” Bazhanov said. Territorial arguments between the countries date back to periods of expansion by both Tsarist Russia and Imperial China.

Source: http://www.russiatoday.com/news/news/31858

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

Ex-Soviet states to hold joint air defense drills in 2009

Members of the Commonwealth of Independent States have agreed to conduct joint air defense exercises in the summer of 2009, the Russian defense minister said on Wednesday. "The joint exercises with live firing, dubbed Combat Commonwealth-2009, will be held in June-September 2009," Anatoly Serdyukov told a news conference after a meeting of CIS defense ministers. The Council of CIS defense ministers held its 55th meeting in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, focusing on the role and activities of the collective CIS peacekeeping force in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone, and improving the integrated air defense system of CIS countries. The CIS, a loose alliance of former Soviet states, comprises Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Ukraine is a founding and participating country but technically not a member state. Turkmenistan holds associate status. An integrated air defense network was set up by 10 CIS member countries on February 10, 1995.

Source: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081015/117749210.html

CIS defense ministers to meet in St. Petersburg

The Council of CIS defense ministers will hold its 55th meeting in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, a spokesman for the alliance's executive committee said. During the meeting defense ministry officials from the Russian-dominated Commonwealth of Independent States are expected to consider around 20 defense cooperation issues. The defense ministers will also focus on ways of improving the united air defense system of CIS countries. In the light of developments in the North Caucasus, CIS members will also review the role and activity of the collective CIS peacekeeping force in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone. The CIS, a loose alliance of former Soviet states, comprises Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Ukraine is a founding and participating country but technically not a member state. Turkmenistan holds associate status.

Source: http://en.rian.ru/world/20081015/117739640.html

In other news:

Russian combat aircraft to join military drills with Belarus

Russian military aircraft and helicopters will conduct joint exercises with the Belarusian Air Force, a Russian Air Force spokesman said on Wednesday. Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik said Russian MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters, Su-25 Frogfoot close-support aircraft and Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters had landed at three Belarusian airbases on October 13 in preparation for the Fall-2008 operational and tactical exercises with the Belarusian Armed Forces. The Fall-2008 exercises will involve around 8,500 personnel, military and special hardware, including over 40 aircraft, more than 60 tanks, around 250 armored vehicles and up to 40 artillery pieces. The participation by Russian aircraft in the exercises is part of the ongoing Russia-Belarus Stability-2008 drills, Drik said. The Stability-2008 exercises will last until October 21 across various regions of Russia and Belarus with the goal of practicing the strategic deployment of the Armed Forces, including the nuclear triad, to counter potential threats near the Russian border. "The exercise will involve the majority of personnel and strategic aircraft in service with strategic aviation units," Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin earlier said. "The crews will deploy the entire range of on board weaponry." The Russian Air Force combat training program has scheduled more than 200 exercises with 350 live firing drills for the second half of 2008.

Source: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081015/117741196.html

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

Russian military spending to hit $50 bln in 2009

Russia's military spending will reach 1.3 trillion rubles ($50 billion) in 2009, Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said on Thursday. Ivanov met with President Dmitry Medvedev ahead of the State Duma's second reading of the 2009-11 draft state budget. "This is the total aggregate amount (1.3 trillion rubles) for 2009. I hope that the State Duma will approve this sum in its second reading tomorrow," Ivanov said. He also said that following the events in the Caucasus, the targets had been reviewed and the defense budget for 2009 had been increased by 60 billion rubles ($2.3 billion), "in addition to the 20 billion rubles allocated for the establishment of two new military bases in South Ossetia and Abkhazia." Medvedev said that military spending should be maintained, adding that the defense budget been increased in accordance with his instructions. Russia and Georgia fought a brief war in August after Georgia launched a military offensive against South Ossetia in an attempt to regain control over the republic, which split from Georgia in the early 1990s.

Source: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081016/117784473.html

Military Training Also In for Makeover

Along with the reform of the Russian military and the staff of the Defense Ministry, military education will also be reorganized. The number of military training institutions will be cut from 65 to 10 in a move that is sure to be unpopular. The Defense Ministry will retain six academies, one military university and three military science centers (that will be a new form of educational institution). One of those military science centers will be formed around the General Military Academy through its merger with four officers’ training schools and a number of cadet schools. Another will be the Academy of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Forces and Engineering Forces in Kostroma. The air force and naval fleet will have their own training centers and a Military Missile and Space Defense Academy will be founded and located either in Serpukhov or Kubinka. The Military Academy of the Armed Forces in Ryazan will have a number of functions. The Military Academy of Communications in Stavropol and the General Staff Academy will be retained, and the Military Diplomatic Institute (which trains students for intelligence work abroad) and the Defense Ministry Scientific Research Institute will become part of the General Staff Academy. The Military University and Military Medical Academy will continue training servicemen in humanities and medicine. All military construction school, physical fitness institutes and the financial and economic academy will be closed. The Defense Ministry noted that the military education system was expensive (with a budget of 900 million rubles) and inefficient. Military institutes do not attract a large number of students and the number of officers in the Russian armed forces is being rapidly curtailed. There will be no transition period for the reform, although some military training functions, particularly the preparation of military lawyers, will be transferred to civilian schools. Kommersant has learned that military psychologists, economists, translators and other narrow specialists will also be trained by civilians. The 50,000 students in the military educational system will be reassigned to institutions within the new system. In 2005, the “military departments” in civilian institutions were reduced by 80 percent, which led to a flurry of protest and petitioning. Deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Defense and United Russia member Mikhail Babich has already objected to this round of reforms. The Defense Ministry itself acknowledges that some of the changes will be painful. It mentioned in particular the merger of the world-renowned Zhukov and Gagarin Military Aviation Academies.

Source: http://www.kommersant.com/p1041455/m...orm_education/

In related news:

Venezuela Will Buy Russian Tanks

Venezuela is considering the purchases of Russian T-92 tanks and armored vehicles as part of a plan to increase the country’s defensive abilities. Venezuelan Gen. Jesus Gonzalez announced these plans after a meeting with Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolay Patrushev, the Associated Press reports. Gonzalez said Venezuela would determine the size of its order for tanks, airplanes, ships and helicopters the country needs. The country intends to place the order before the end of the year. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez visited Russia on September 25 and 26 and signed agreements on partnership in the area of energy at that time, as well as confirming plans for Russian-Venezuelan naval exercises in November. Two Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers visited Venezuela earlier this year as part of military exercises. The Western press is calling the Russian-Venezuelan ties “friendship against the United States.” The Russian leadership claims, however, that relations with Venezuela are motivated by economic interests.

Source: http://www.kommersant.com/p-13410/Ru...weapons_sales/

New Russia-Venezuela Military Contract

Russia and Venezuela may sign a contract for the delivery of a large shipment of BMP-3 armored vehicles in the next month, deputy director of Rosoboronexport Igor Sevastyanov told journalists. “In addition to the firearms and ammunition already delivered, a large shipment of BMP-3 armored vehicles is being prepared. The contract may be signed within a month,” he said. Negotiations are also underway for the delivery of multiple-launch rocket systems and artillery systems. Sevastyanov added that two factories are already under construction in Venezuela. One will produce Kalashnikov machineguns and the other will produce ammunition. He said that Rosoboronexport representatives recently visited Venezuela. “The goal of our trip was to work out current problems, overcome minor misunderstandings and keep our forward movement going,” he said. Sevastyanov said that export orders for Russian equipment are so large that factories are working in three shifts per day and Russia’s military industry will expand significantly in the near future. Land, air and sea technology is in demand. Demand for Russian technology is at a 15-year high. Aviation and armored vehicles are most in demand, mainly in countries that have had protracted wars. Antiaircraft technology is also becoming more popular.

Source: http://www.kommersant.com/p-13400/ar...on_and_export/

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

Medvedev to Visit Armenia on Oct 20-21

President Dmitry Medvedev will pay an official visit to Yerevan on October 20-21 on Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan's invitation, the Kremlin press service reported on Thursday. The Russian and Armenian presidents last met in Sochi on September 2. It was their fourth meeting this year. They also met in Moscow on March 24 and June 24, and in St.Petersburg on June 6. During the talks in Sochi Medvedev proposed giving stronger attention to the problem of transportation corridors linking Russia and Armenia, Russian presidential aide Sergei Prikhodko earlier informed the press. Medvedev remarked with regret during the talks that "Georgia's insane aggressive moves could not have failed to affect the smooth- running transportation services between Russia and Armenia, as well as Russia's trade and economic links with Armenia." "This was because a large share of trade flows between Armenia and Russia run across Georgia," Prikhodko said. He also said that the formation of new transport routes between Armenia and Russia were discussed, as well as the development of infrastructure. Talks were held on cooperation in railway services. Prikhodko said that, "Armenia has no questions to Russia regarding gas shipments." The problems of nuclear power engineering and the extraction of uranium were not discussed, Prikhodko said. The presidential aide also said that there was a detailed discussion of bilateral relations and of the issues to be entered on the agenda of the Collective Security Treaty Organization's Heads of State Council. Besides that, the problems of South Ossetia and Abkhazia were addressed, he said. "But the presidents did not touch upon the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia," Prikhodko said.

Source: http://www.istockanalyst.com/article...d_2715080.html

In related news:

Ara Abrahamyan: Armenian organizations in U.S. don’t lobby Armenia’s interests properly

Armenia must maintain good relations with the U.S. but must not do it at expense of relations with other states, specifically with Russia, Ara Abrahamyan, the President of the Union of Armenians of Russia and World Armenian Congress, told reporters in Yerevan today. He remarked that the Armenian organizations in the United States do not lobby Armenia’s interests properly. “I anchor hopes with formation of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs,” he said. Abrahamyan also informed that the UAR and WAC proposed to address the International Court for recognition of the Armenian Genocide. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is considering the issue,” he said.

Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=27379

[Federate]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

ARMENIA: NEW PROJECTS A STAB AT INDEPENDENCE FROM MOSCOW?
Marianna Grigoryan 10/17/08

The Armenian government has confirmed plans to build an Iran-Armenia railway and a new nuclear power plant as part of a series of new, "large-scale" initiatives.

In an October 2 speech to parliament, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan declared that the "time has come for Armenia to implement ambitious economic projects, super-projects." Aside from the railway and nuclear power plant, Sargsyan said that work will also begin in the next few months on an Armenian investment foundation "that will fund large-scale programs."

"Such projects not only solve major strategic problems, but have a large-scale impact on the economy and society," said Sargsyan.

Details are not yet available; instructions, however, have been given to the Ministries of Energy and Transportation to come up with proposed work plans for the railway and power station projects.

In a September statement to Diaspora Armenians in New York City, Sargsyan stated that "similar and larger-scale programs" are also in the works, the presidential press service reported. He did not elaborate.

The "new initiatives" have prompted a debate about whether or not President Sargsyan is trying to diminish Russian influence on the country, and to strengthen Yerevan’s ties with other players in the South Caucasus.

The fact that the three projects were first mentioned in a speech to Armenian Americans in New York City has prompted some local observers to believe that the government may be trying to draw greater Diaspora interest to diversify the investment mix.

"An attempt is being made to strengthen Armenia’s foreign policy," commented opposition parliamentarian Stepan Safarian, a member of the pro-West Heritage Party.

The president’s decision to invite Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Armenia in September has prompted other opposition members to agree.

"It is obvious that Sargsyan’s foreign policy is different from his predecessor’s," added opposition politician Suren Sureniants, a senior associate of opposition leader and former president Levon Ter-Petrosian. "The pro-Russian emphases are in some way altered and it can be seen that Sargsyan is trying to become more comprehensible for the West."

But not all observers agree.

"One can hardly think that by constructing a new railway and nuclear power station an attempt is being made to get rid of Russian control," said political analyst Sevak Sarukhanian, deputy director of Yerevan’s Noravank Foundation for Strategic Research. "On the contrary, it will deepen Armenian-Russian strategic cooperation, since . . . Russia will have its share in both construction projects."

Armenia’s existing railway network is already managed by Russian Railways; the Armenia-Iran railway would, therefore, have Russian involvement. Similarly, Armenia depends on Russia for nuclear fuel and technological support for its existing nuclear power station, which is managed by the Russian company UES.

Overall, nearly 80 percent of Armenia’s energy system is estimated to be under Russian control. Russia also maintains control over the Hrazdan hydropower plant, one of the largest in the South Caucasus.

The Iran-Armenia gas pipeline is one example of a similar, large-scale project that had initially stirred speculation that Armenia was attempting to pull away from Russia. Gazprom’s majority stake in ArmRosGazprom, however, means that Russian interests are represented in the pipeline.

A recent Armenian about-face on the desirability of importing Iranian gas illustrated the implications of that presence.

On September 10, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisian told Armenian media that Armenia will be able to import Iranian gas in November. The pipeline, which Movsisian presented as the solution to "the issue of Armenia’s energy security," has an annual capacity for 2.3-2.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas.

Iran reportedly plans to export some 1.1 billion cubic meters of gas to Armenia annually, and will increase that number gradually to reach 2.3 billion cubic meters by 2019, according to the Armenian Ministry of Energy’s website.

Iran was reportedly ready to start supplies of gas to Armenia by October 13. "Iran will pump three million cubic meters of gas to Armenia during this winter," said National Iranian Gas Company managing director Reza Kasaei-Zadeh in a recent interview with the Iranian ISNA news agency.

In-exchange Armenian exports of electricity reportedly began on October 5.

However, Armenia’s Energy Ministry earlier this week affirmed that Armenia "does not yet have a need" for Iranian gas.

One analyst cited the incident as a sign that Moscow still holds the cards for Armenia’s energy market.

"It is clear that Armenia refused to receive Iranian gas as a result of Russian pressure," said independent political analyst David Petrosian. "Russia controls almost the entire energy system of Armenia through its state corporation. It seeks to keep Armenia in a state of dependence . . . Armenia will receive gas from Iran only when Russian gas is in short supply."

Marianna Grigoryan is a reporter for ArmeniaNow.com in Yerevan.

From http://www.eurasianet.org/department...av101708.shtml

[Lucin]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

"It is clear that Armenia refused to receive Iranian gas as a result of Russian pressure," said independent political analyst David Petrosian. "Russia controls almost the entire energy system of Armenia through its state corporation. It seeks to keep Armenia in a state of dependence . . . Armenia will receive gas from Iran only when Russian gas is in short supply."

Why?! This is just ridiculous. Will Armenia finally get the Iranian gas or not? If not, then what was the point of constructing a pipeline? This is the moment when Armenia really needed the Iranian gas, as an alternative, considering the recent turmoil in Georgia...

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

ARMENIA: NEW PROJECTS A STAB AT INDEPENDENCE FROM MOSCOW?

This is manipulation by officials at Eurasia.net. Armenia and Iran built the gas pipeline with Moscow's full knowledge, blessing and participation. Had Moscow been against it the pipeline would have never materialized to begin with. However, the pipeline in question was never meant to 'replace' Russian gas supplies to Armenia either. In the aftermath of the Georgian-Russian war, when Armenian gas supplies from Russia were threatened, officials in Moscow realized that Armenia desperately needed alternative energy supplies in times of crisis. Cut off from Russian energy supplies, Armenia's fragile/vulnerable economy and political system could face a grave situation. Moscow allowed Yerevan to deepen its ties with Tehran, as a result. However, the Iranian-Armenian gas pipeline seems to be meant to be used in a limited manner. Perhaps this is the reason why Yerevan is not fully jumping on the opportunity to import gas from Iran although the pipeline is ready for operation. Nevertheless, like Sevak Sarukhanian said in the article, similar strategic projects will serve to further enhance Armenia's geopolitical status in the eyes of Moscow, further deepening Russian-Armenian-Iranian cooperation. Had this been five-ten-fifteen years ago Moscow would not have allowed Armenia to approach any other nation due to its vulnerable position in the Caucasus region. Today, since Moscow dominates the Caucasus, since it already controls vital aspects of Armenian's economy and national infrastructure Moscow will not object to Armenia having limited dealings with other nations in the region, namely Iran. But the idea that official Yerevan is embarking on regional projects to gain "independence" from Moscow per se, is foolish to say the least.

Why?! This is just ridiculous. Will Armenia finally get the Iranian gas or not? If not, then what was the point of constructing a pipeline? This is the moment when Armenia really needed the Iranian gas, as an alternative, considering the recent turmoil in Georgia...

Lucin jan, I appreciate your concern and your anger at the overall situation. But I also know that you know the answers to your questions. Armenia here is a victim of regional superpower politics, as usual. Did you really think that by allowing Armenia to build the gas pipeline with Iran Moscow was finally giving Armenia its energy independence? The pipeline in question was built to give Armenia an alternative choice in a case of an emergency. With that said, Russia does not want to see Iranian gas/oil competing with Russian gas/oil in the Caucasus and beyond in Europe; nor does Russia want Armenia to be independent of Moscow in any respects. The reasons why Moscow does this are quite obvious. The Caucasus is where the interests of various major power intersect. It so happens that due to the region's political circumstances we Armenians have always been pushed towards siding with Russia, even when doing so has not been easy for us. This is similar to our relationship with Persia in ancient times. Nonetheless, this is the nature of regional politics, this is the real geopolitical situation we as Armenians have to learn to deal with and use to our benefit. Let's also look at this in a different perspective. The only way Russia would relinquish its control over Armenia is if Moscow was forced out of the Caucasus. How do you think Armenia would fare in the Caucasus if Russia abandoned the area? Think seriously about this question. There are ups and downs to our relationship with Russia. I suggest we weight the ups and then weight the downs. Doing so may help us place things in a better perspective. An embattled/weak/vulnerable/poor nation that is forced to be subordinate to a major superpower does not have much voice in decision making.

By the way, why do you think Iran does not have the capability to refine its crude oil? Why are there problems with obtaining refined gasoline in Iran? Could it be that Iranians don't have the money and/or brains to do so, or could it be politics?

[ZORAVAR]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

I was in Armenia for a few days last week. I had the chance to meet one of my old friends there. He is the director of a shipping company and knows a lot about the import/export business in/out of Armenia. Here are a few points he mentioned:

1. Most of the goods are coming/exiting via Georgia and Iran. Armenian Shipping companies are still prefering to ship via Poti (Georgia) rather Bandar Abbas (Iran) because of the inferior service and logistics that the Iranians can provide at the moment.

2. Russia is a main importer of Armenian goods. Mostly food products (fresh fruits etc.), beverages (wine, congac etc.) and minerals (molybdenum etc.). For the last few years it is impossible to forward these by road as Georgia-Russia border is closed.

3. The way to get these goods to Russia (and import stuff from Russia) is to take them to the Georgian port of Poti. There is only one vessel (Bulgarian origin) that makes a Poti- Novorossisk (Russia) trip every ten days. That is our main shipping link to Russia.

4. Another route has started recently. Georgian trucks can take the cargo from Armenia to the Turkish port of Trabizon (via Georgia of course) where they are loaded on vessels bound to Russia. Armenian trucks cannot be used for that purpose as they are not allowed to go to Turkey.. Service is good and prices are more competitive than the Poti-Novorosissk route. This is also being used at the moment.

5. My friend believes that the Russians are pressuring the Turks to open the rail link to Armenia. The Russians already started renovating the Armenian portion of the link...they manage the Armenian railway network after all.

6. Turkish goods have been coming to Armenia for a while (via Georgia). My friend says that, one way or the other they are going to end up in Armenia's market. Opening the border with Armenia will not mean Turkish goods will flood Armenia (they have aleady done so). Prices will be lower tough if they don't have to pass through Georgia. He also mentioned that the Armenian consumer is now becoming descriminative and is no longer buying any junk that is coming from Turkey or Iran or China or elsewhere. They are looking more for quality etc.

[jgk3]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

Thanks for sharing all those details Zoravar. On a side note, I had no idea that Armenia was a supplier of molybdenum, good to know.