Establishing relations with any country is not a bad thing—but doing it through capitulation? – Arthur Khachikian

On August 31, in China, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar signed an agreement establishing diplomatic relations between Armenia and Pakistan. Just hours after the signing, reports surfaced that Pakistan had blocked Armenia’s application for membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). This development came in the context of India previously blocking Azerbaijan’s bid to join the same organization.

Alpha News spoke with political analyst Arthur Khachikian about the situation. He did not rule out that Pakistan’s move could be due to India’s position on the Azerbaijan issue.

“During the 44-day war in Artsakh, Pakistan supported Azerbaijan and has consistently taken a strongly pro-Azerbaijani and pro-Turkish position. It is not a bad thing to establish diplomatic relations—but at what cost? We have surrendered Artsakh, we surrendered Meghri – if these relations come at such a price, maybe we should give something else to make them happy? Our attempts to play with the West, the East, and Russia are failing, because, on the one hand, we go to Moscow, call it a brother; on the other, we invite its adversaries—Western forces—into the region. If Armenia wants to sever ties with Russia, then let it do so, but in return it needs to receive clear guarantees from the West—and we don’t have them. In that case, at the very least, don’t bring the enemies of Russia and Iran into the region. Establishing relations with any country isn’t a bad thing, but again—at what cost? Through capitulation? Are such concessions worth it? I believe that the government is pretending not to break away from the North and East, while its true intention is to pivot toward the West. I have never been against correct, friendly relations with the West—but not at the expense of surrendering Artsakh,” Arthur Khachikian said.