Yesterday the Russian president Dmitry Medvedev paid a visit to Azerbaijan. After the meeting of the Russian and Azeri presidents Gazprom company executed a contract with the Azeri state oil company to supply Azeri gas. Starting from January 1, 2010, Gazprom company will buy 500 million cubic meters of gas per year from Azerbaijan. There is no need to say what the impact may this contract have on the Russian-Azeri relations and the issue of Karabakh conflict as well. Even the Azeri officials speak about this in a direct text. Before Medvedev’s visit an Azeri politician Zardusht Alizade, who usually reflects the opinions of the Azeri government, made the following announcement: “Baku has told its price for the conflict of Karabakh, and this price is the oil. If Russia agrees with our offer, I think that we may execute an agreement. However Russia may allow to give us only 5-6 regions, and the issue of Karabakh and Lachin pass may be delayed.” Now it’s time. The Azeri government is directly negotiating with Russia on the issue of Karabakh. In fact, Aliyev is realizing his plans and the promise he gave after the Russian State Duma speaker Gryzlov said that Armenia was Russia’s outpost in the region. Furthermore, the announcement saying that “Russia may allow to give 5-6 regions” reveals the real potential and role of the Armenian government in the negotiations on Karabakh conflict and the real face of Armenia’s foreign policy. It is quite not surprising that yesterday the Russian media was full of critics targeted at Armenia. The authors of these publications were the Russian MPs who reflect the government’s policy and opinions. The reason is the fact that the president of Armenia has granted a medal of honor to the Georgian president Michael Sahakashvili. In other words, the Russians openly say to Armenians “to take its place and know where its place is”. In addition, in consideration of Medvedev’s announcement that “Russia will do its best to move the process of Karabakh conflict settlement forward”, we should confess that again it is time not to rely on our Russian friends any more. It would not be fair to accuse the Russians in this. The Armenian government owes a lot to Russia for her help to keep stability in Armenia during the past ten years and now it is time to pay the debts. Alas we can’t pay with property any more.
