Weekend in Turkey

            This weekend could not be relaxing for Europe by all means: attempt of coup in Turkey, unclear tension in Yerevan, Armenia. Till Monday the leadership of getting less democratic states in the region has moved to President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It is not yet clear how exactly the EU-Turkey, Turkey-Russia relationship will evolve in these circumstances. Recently tension between Turkey and Russia has decreased: Russian tourists happily recommenced spending summer vacations in so familiar Turkish resorts. Would Putin cooperate better with Erdogan seeing in him the same spirit, only further events will reveal it.

How Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be used by Kremlin?

The tension between Turkey and Russia has not been over yet. Kremlin would not loose an opportunity to create a leverage in relations with Turkey. So it is a perfect occasion to set on fire the existing conflict, where one of the site is the closest ally of Turkey. The conflict would also strengthen the authority of Moscow in Armenia by enhancing the security dependence from Russian military help. In the end, like in the situation of war in Syria Russia could be seen on the international arena as a “peace-keeper” diligently acting in the region. It is Russia that was called to participate in conflict settlement, it means the international community still considers Russia as a key actor. And this is what Kremlin likes the most.

Armenia: violations on the Constitutional Reform

       Referendum on the constitution change was held in Armenia on the 6th of December. It concerned the switch from a presidential system of government to a parliamentarian. In that regard the president will be able to stay at the office seven years instead of five. President also will be chosen by the parliament, not by the people. Protests of opposition side occurred on the streets of Yerevan this Friday. “Referendum results do not reflect the free will of Armenian citizens and should not be considered to be legitimate” – state the citizen Observer Initiative and the European Platform for Democratic Elections.

      Meanwhile, the negotiation on the new trade agreement between Armenia and the EU reopened in Brussels. The European Union hopes it will bring the new opportunities for the further investments and trade development with Armenia. However, the participation of Armenia in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) along with Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and the strong Russian influence in the country can be serious obstacles for the future agreement. The Russian-Turkish conflict also brings a new role for the Armenia in the region.