Radar Armenia's interlocutor is political scientist Ruben Mehrabyan, a member of the "For the Republic" party.
- The EU civilian mission sent to Armenia will end its activities on December 19. According to you, why do they not extend the term of the monitoring group, considering that Azerbaijan violates the ceasefire regime daily?
- I am more inclined to think that the basis on which the temporary monitoring mission was created does not imply its extension. However, this does not mean that other steps cannot be taken. Since these were additional duties temporarily imposed on the EU mission in Georgia, now is the time for Armenia to make a political decision as well. Here we need a more thorough dialogue between Yerevan and Brussels and the presence of a political decision. In any case, it should be achieved.
- What are your expectations, will the EU monitoring mission group give an objective and proper assessment as a result of the study?
- I think that what they see, they record. Everything is on the surface, and you don't even need Sharp vision to notice it all. The question is different. If we expect the EU to take the path of anger with Azerbaijan, it is not so. Of course, the EU will use these facts during the dialogue with Azerbaijan to bring the issue to a peaceful and comprehensive settlement. So, we should not expect harsh French-style formulations from there.
- And what will that assessment give to Armenia? Can it stop Azerbaijan's aggression?
- Azerbaijan will leave the internationally recognized territory of Armenia. I have no doubt here. When, it's hard to say. But it will be with the establishment of a comprehensive and lasting peace. To achieve this, the process must be brought to a logical conclusion, removing all obstacles from the way. And the most important of the obstacles is Russia, which is fundamentally interested in disrupting all of that. Russia is interested in ensuring that there is no lasting peace in Armenia because that is the only guarantee of Russia's presence in the region in its current form. Russia has no other support point in the region.
- And does Armenia have the leverage to push Russia out?
- Armenia, as an independent and sovereign state, has the opportunity to establish relations with such partners with whom there are goals, interests, and values in common, and thereby somehow solve the issues of the region. Pay attention that none of the goals, interests, values are about Russia. And it is this way that can promise Armenia certain successes.
Hayk Magoyan
