Current Condition of Armenia

[Armanen]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

I don’t think it would make a difference even if Armenia was not landlocked, blockaded with no natural resources. The mentality needs to change.....situations are dynamic and its much different than say 10 years ago, Armenia cannot effort to stagnate.

I am surprised that Armenian's influence in Russian political system hasn't been improved yet.

Explain why you think it would not make a difference.

I agree that there's more things the Armenian diaspora in Russia could be doing, especially politically, but they are head and shoulders above any other Armenian diaspora group, as far as integration into business, government, science, sports, arts, education, etc, as well as being the most wealthy.

[Eddo211]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

Explain why you think it would not make a difference.

You would still be a small Nation surounded by regional powers.

[Armanen]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

You would still be a small Nation surounded by regional powers.

Is that all you have to support your position?

[Eddo211]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

It is my opinion and the Fact remains that even a rich small country with resources must maintain relations with its more powerful neighbors.

To me money (resources) does not mean or translate into sovereignty and ghetin@ bhahel (keeping the ground).

[Armanen]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

It is my opinion and the Fact remains that even a rich small country with resources must maintain relations with its more powerful neighbors.

To me money (resources) does not mean or translate into sovereignty and ghetin@ bhahel (keeping the ground).

Opinions are fine and they influence policy makers a great deal, but when we are discussing geopolitics and international affairs then facts carry greater weight and top opinions.

Armenia would still find itself surrounded by larger powers, this is true, but it would have more of a bargaining chip if it had any combonation of natural resources, larger population, larger and more dynamic economy, and bigger military. We can not fix the natural resources problem, you either have oil & natural gas or you don't. Yet when it comes to the economy, there are steps we can take. But there is no denying that the number one hinderence to the growth of the Armenian economy is the illegal blockade by turkey, and the cold war with azerbaijan. Add to this the sanctions against Iran, a major trading and energy partern of Armenia, and it is understanable why we have the issues which we do. Also, if Armenia were larger or had access to the turkish markets our oligarchs wouldn't have such a strangle hold on the Armenian market, they have a whole sea to swim in instead of the pond that is Armenia (metaphorically speaking).

Nowhere did I say small nations do not need to maintain relations with larger nations, of course they do. So you either misunderstood my point, or you don't really understand geopolitics. Because it indeed would be a great deal of difference if Armenia had natural resources and/or wasn't blockaded.

[Eddo211]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

You asked a question I answered. You can dance twist back flip around the essence of what I said.

I have no respect for those who are willing to trade sovereignty for a false sense of security and fear. This is not directed at you Armanen but generally to anyone.

[Armanen]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

You asked a question I answered. You can dance twist back flip around the essence of what I said.

I have no respect for those who are willing to trade sovereignty for a false sense of security and fear. This is not directed at you Armanen but generally to anyone.

And I showed you that your answer, of 'it would make no difference' is incorrect.

We are all for a strong Armenia, that is not the issue here.

[Eddo211]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

And I showed you that your answer, of 'it would make no difference' is incorrect.

No you didn’t. What you showed is that a country with more resources and open borders has more cards to play with, which is true.

We are all for a strong Armenia, that is not the issue here.

OK

[Armanen]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

No you didn’t. What you showed is that a country with more resources and open borders has more cards to play with, which is true.

And were you not the one to state that having more resources and open borders would not make a difference? And I showed that the difference would be our bargaining position.

[Tigranakert]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

The question is, what is sovereignty? And Eddo221, I wonder, what do you want Armenia to do to be more sovereign. It's easy to shout such statements, but give some examples? Let's see if they are realistic.

Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory.

Nobody would disagree with this. We should try to "maximize" our sovereignty to a degree that's not harmful for our country. Fact remains, it would be much more useful to use our potential in the Russian Federation and Russia's interest in Armenia, than to fight it to be so-called "sovereign", which will lead to a dangerous situation. Nobody here is against Armenia having economical ties with every other country in the world, but politically an militarily our ties are and will be the closest with Russia. We just have to play the game smart, and it's up to us to influence the foreign policy of the Russian Federation and maximize their support.

In no other country we have this potential. Not in America, where they cry about genocide recognition every year and after decades don't understand they just play a game with the stupid Armenians, nor in France where the political influence is close to zero and where most of the Armenians are assimilated.

It is amazing how many Armenians are in high-ranking positions in Russia, the list is endless. From politics and media, to the military and business, they are over-represented in al spheres. If we manage somehow to organize ourselves... the results could be very positive. Steps are being taken, one of these is the construction (financed by Russian-Armenians working together, not like the Armenians in America who want to build one museum but are fighting for years with each other now) of a huge, I mean huge Armenian Church/School/Business/Network complex in Moscow. I have never seen such a big construction and I am very proud of the Armenians in Moscow (you realize how big it is once you have been there).