Armenian politician: Baku partnership with Turkey and Georgia threatens to turn into friendship against Russia

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One should not expect coolness in Azerbaijani-Russian relations, leader of the Armenian opposition National Unity Party Artashes Geghamyan said commenting on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s CIS policy, refusal from the Russian gas and the decision to suspend broadcasting of two Russian TV-channels since 2007.

“Azerbaijan just wants to put a good face on things and try to sell gas to Georgia bypassing Russia. However, it failed, and Baku decided to resort to economic blackmailing threatening to decrease oil supplies to Russia. At the same time, the strategic partnership between Turkey and Georgia is fraught with the danger of turning into friendship against Russia. The gas issue is nothing but fuss on the eve of the new year. Ukraine tried to boost a similar situation and create a pseudo-economic crisis on the eve of 2006. The same thing is with Belarus, it is also indignant at raising the price for Russian gas. However, it will bring no good,” the Armenian politician believes. “Russian President Vladimir Putin’s well-considered policy is adequate and realistic, and all Russia’s actions are based on its intention to become a WTO member. And WTO membership requires establishing market relations in the energy market and refusal from selective pricing. If the selective principle had not been applied to the strategic partner of Russia – Armenia, why should it be applied to Georgia, Azerbaijan or Moldova,” Geghamyan rhetorically asked.