Armenia Increasingly Might be Viewed as Problem for its Neighbors: Analyst

"After Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan's Sept. 3 announcement that Armenia would join the Russian-led Customs Union, there have been elements of occupation in Armenia: there is even no need for an army (for occupation) — the army has been here a long time," said Armenian Center for Political and International Studies political analyst Ruben Mehrabyan (pictured), speaking to journalists in Yerevan today on recent developments in the region and on Russia-Armenia relations.

"If before, we spoke of the relationship between Russia and Armenia as one of a vassal and a sovereign, from that day [Sept. 3] forward, the country was occupied. My remarks solidify the notorious document of the Oct. 25 Minsk Summit, which obliges Armenia not only not to take any actions against the Customs Union and its members, but also not to make any statements that are contrary to the interests of the member countries of the Customs Union," he said.

According to him, there is not even a single word about the obligations of the other party.

"All of Armenia's four neighbors today have serious relations with the West: Turkey is a NATO member and is in the same free trade zone with the European Union; Georgia is preparing to sign a free trade agreement in Vilnius; Iran is in talks with the leaders of the 'six' — it clearly has a desire to improve its relations with the West; and Azerbaijan is establishing a serious relationship with the EU. Armenia, on the contrary, is gradually becoming an instrument of Russia's self-defeating strategy, the black hole of Russian interests. The likelihood is great that all of Armenia's neighbors will view Armenia as a problem. As for the security of our country, after joining the Customs Union, Armenia turned from a subject to an object. Subjugating Armenia, Russia will now do everything to keep Azerbaijan away from Western markets. And the Karabakh issue will become leverage in the hands of the Russians," said Mehrabyan.