O’Brien’s visit is aimed at supporting those forces that advocate Western orientation in Armenia, expert says

 
Speaking with Alpha News, Grigory Yarygin, PhD in Political Science and Associate Professor of the Department of American Studies at St. Petersburg State University, commented on the meeting of Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan with US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O’Brien.

According to the expert, O’Brien’s visit is aimed at supporting those forces that advocate the Western orientation in Armenia.

“The figure of O’Brien itself is a heavyweight figure, and, regardless of the agenda, a visit of this level itself shows the interest of the United States in the region. Now special attention is paid to Armenia within the State Department, but not at the national level, not at the White House level, because the White House is now occupied with the electoral, European, and Asian agendas. However, the White House still plays on the contradictions within the Caucasus region, which should not be forgotten.

O’Brien’s visit is aimed, firstly, at demonstrating attention to the region and, secondly, at supporting those forces that advocate the Western orientation in Armenia. This visit shows the interest of the United States in Armenia’s foreign policy, in ensuring that Western vectors become a priority for Armenia,” Yarygin said.

“The visit itself is symbolic. It primarily demonstrates the State Department’s attention to the country. The visit demonstrates that the State Department does not forget about the Armenian vector and that American interests are still not only alive, but that the State Department plans to develop and support them.

Further, after the election, it will be clear whether these interests can be supported by some economic projects.

Now everything will sound at the level of a declaration, because no one knows how the election will unfold in the United States,” Yarygin concluded.