Sharmazanov: There is no alternative to  development of allied relations between Armenia and Russia

ArmInfo. Ten years ago and now, there is no alternative to the alliance between Armenia and Russia, as stated by former Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament and member of the Republican Party Eduard Sharmazanov at a press conference in Yerevan, while discussing  the adoption of a bill by the Armenian Parliament regarding the country's accession to the European Union.  Sharmazanov mentioned that a few days ago the parliament approved the bill in its second and final reading, with 64 deputies voting in favor. Additionally, he noted that the only faction that objected to it was the Republican Party "I Have Honor".

In this regard, Sharmazanov drew attention to the fact that Russia and Armenia are not only historically and naturally connected as allies, but also represent a unified Eastern Christian civilization. He highlighted that under the leadership of the third President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and the Republican Party, Armenia joined the Eurasian Union and played a significant role in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

"We firmly believe that the stance of developing an alliance with Russia corresponds to Armenia's national and state interests. This alliance has been proven by time," the RPA member said.  Sharmazanov also mentioned that the peoples of Crimea, Donbass, and Nagorno-Karabakh fought for their right to self-determination. He emphasized that this right is one of the fundamental principles of international law, allowing each nation to determine its own destiny. He pointed out that the right to self- determination was enshrined in the legislation of the USSR. It was on this basis, according to him, that the people of Artsakh began their struggle to realize their right in 1988. "The people of the NKR exercised their right to self-determination and declared Nagorno-Karabakh an independent state. In response, Azerbaijan launched a war against the people of Artsakh. However, Artsakh did not give up and emerged victorious in the First Karabakh War. Azerbaijan's second attempt to resolve the issue militarily in 2016 also failed.  After that, the President of Azerbaijan admitted that "behind closed doors, the global community is pressuring him to recognize the independence of Karabakh," the former vice-speaker of the Armenian parliament recalled.

As Sharmazanov continued, the third attempt to seize Artsakh occurred after the "color revolution" of 2018, when anti-state forces came to power in Armenia with the support of Turkey and Western countries. "In the fall of the same year, the Western curators of the new regime publicly declared the need to abandon "historical stereotypes," implying the rejection of traditional values, including the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and an alliance with Russia," Sharmazanov noted.  Meanwhile, according to the RPA member, it is Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's collaborationist regime that recognized Artsakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan. "The 2020 war and the ethnic cleansing of the Armenians of Artsakh in 2023 had tragic consequences. But such an outcome became possible "thanks" to the treacherous policy of Nikol's regime. It is well known that Artsakh was surrendered on the Western platform in Prague with the mediation of Macron and Charles Michel. The Armenian Prime Minister failed to act when the anti-Armenian and xenophobic Aliyev regime carried out ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population in Artsakh," the RPA member concluded.

 Recall  that on February 12, the National Assembly of Armenia adopted the draft law "On the beginning of the process of Armenia's accession to the European Union" in the first reading at a plenary session. 63 deputies voted in favor for the adoption of the document, while 7 voted against. It should be noted that the country's opposition forces have expressed doubts about this decision, noting that Armenia risks being drawn into a useless process that could jeopardize its strategic interests.