Interview
I'm not sure if Armenia intends to vote against the US on the documents. Political Scientist
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit is taking place in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, with the participation of more than 20 heads of state, including Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, as well as representatives of 10 international organizations.
Radar Armenia spoke to political scientist Lilit Dallakyan on the topic.
- In your opinion, how important is Armenia's participation in the summit for the country and, in general, the region?
- I am against the view that we should not go to Beijing or Moscow. It is another matter that I was against SCO membership from the beginning, since it is impossible to join opposing structures, especially the European Union and the SCO. It is another matter that Armenia recognizes China's presence in the region, has established strategic cooperation with Georgia and Azerbaijan, and is also seeking to deepen its relations with China. However, possible steps should be discussed with our Western partners to avoid any adverse reactions in the future. Of course, it should be addressed based on our interests; I do not mean that we should be in the role of those who are dictated to. Participation is positive, of course, if we do not take into account that "it is a group of autocratic countries", except for Armenia and India. Still, deepening relations, even to the point of membership in that organization, is not the right course of action.
-What opportunities and challenges does Armenia have within the SCO, in political and economic terms?
-If there is no membership, why do I constantly emphasize this? Resolutions are adopted there by consensus, for example, in 2005. A resolution was adopted against the US, allowing it to withdraw its military base from Uzbekistan. Following this, the US Senate reacted negatively to this organization, noting that it was a tool in China's efforts against the US. That is why Armenia doesn't want to vote for resolutions that are against the US. These are the possible adverse reactions related to this, given that we are deepening our economic relations. You know, Europe is also deepening its ties with China.
Our two neighboring countries are increasingly cooperating; we should not be left out of it either. And from a political point of view, the fact is that the leaders of autocratic countries are gathered here, but in terms of such an image, it is not right. Although we see that today there are also autocratic leaders in the West, such as Hungary and Slovenia, even the US president is communicating with the leader of North Korea, expressing a desire to meet, and has shown a positive attitude towards a meeting with Putin. Politically, the Armenian side should establish contact to understand whether there are any boundaries that Armenia should not cross, so that we do not encounter any problems with our European and American partners, which is already one of the tasks of the Armenian government.
-According to Azerbaijani media, India has again blocked Azerbaijan's application for full membership in the SCO. What could be the reason for this?
-I think it is due to Azerbaijan's position on the Kashmir issue, because we know that, especially during the last conflict, Azerbaijan defended Pakistan with loud statements, stating that it is a territory belonging to Pakistan. India is attempting to exert some restraint against Azerbaijan.
Lilit Abrahamyan
