An anti-Eurasian and anti-Russian model is taking shape in Armenia: Artur Atayev

Political analyst Artur Atayev commented to Alpha News on Armenia’s drift toward the European Union and the related economic rationale of shifting to European markets, drawing on the experience of former Soviet states.

In the expert’s view, antagonism toward Eurasian and Russian projects is being cultivated in Armenia.

“You know, based on the experience of neighbouring states, Georgia, for instance, was originally oriented toward Europe, and there was a very close attempt at integration, but after the attempt to align with European standards effectively resulted in economic collapse, namely, neither Georgian garlic nor Georgian wine was seen on the European market, a reversal followed. Now, say, the Georgian economy is, as they say, returning to its roots and beginning to engage with Russia in an intensive mode, a very intensive mode. Azerbaijan, despite some early overtures during the time of Elchibey and early Heydar Aliyev, also came to the conclusion that Europe is not a partner, not a full partner, for Azerbaijan’s growing economic balance and economy as a whole. But we see from the example of a number of countries, Moldova, for instance, that despite the economic rationale and economic necessity of engagement with Russia, the pivot toward Europe and Romania in particular is taking on real shape, real political preconditions and conditions, even though it is economically disadvantageous for the population of Moldova. So it may be economically disadvantageous for the population of Armenia, but the political decision will be different. And the stoking of tensions, the stoking of hysteria, the formation of new false historical myths against Peter the Great, against Catherine the Second, against the current President of Russia within Armenian society, among a significant part of the Armenian intelligentsia, indicates that a different model is being simulated and shaped, that is anti-Eurasian and anti-Russian,” Atayev believes.