The approval of the 106th resolution was welcomed both in Armenia and by the Diaspora, however the international opinions were strange. Initially Turkey made a statement that the approval of the resolution would seriously affect the Turkish-American relations, notwithstanding, just in several fays the authorities of Turkey started discussing the issue of imposing penalties not on the US, but on Armenia. We understand this fact as the Turks cannot punish America, but they can do it with Armenia. By the way, several dozens of Armenian citizens have been arrested in Turkey and charged for “violating the visa terms”.
However, after the approval of the 106th resolution the world saw that the “Armenian factor places a serious role in the world”. The Armenian factor really places a big role, but what about Armenia? Is Armenia a big factor as a state and does it place any significant role in the geopolitical policies? In other words, is the adoption of the 106th resolution beneficial for the Republic Armenia or no?
As of the moral point of the issue, the adoption of the 106th resolution was a great victory to recover the historical truth. As for the pragmatic political point of view, the situation is quite different. I think that the issue should be treated the following way: what important problems does Armenia have now and which of those problems will be solved due to the 106th resolution?
As a state Armenia has several core problems now. First – the issue of Karabakh. Second – raising the blockade. Third – strengthening democracy. Fourth – struggling against corruption. Fifth – bad social situation (the order of priority does not matter). Let’s start from the first issue. Will the 106th resolution help the settlement of Karabakh conflict? Hardly it can change anything since it can’t change the policy of Azerbaijan. As for Turkey, its policy will become worse for us. In a word, after the approval of this resolution our positions will neither gain nor suffer in term of the Karabakh conflict.
Will the blockade of Armenia be risen? No. At best the situation will stay the same, at worst Turkey will create more problems for Armenia.
Will the 106th resolution help to develop democracy in Armenia? No. Will it help to fight corruption? No, it is the vice versa since close economy means a close system, where corruption grows rapidly. Will it help the social conditions of the people? No, furthermore, several thousand merchants, who are occupied in trade and import goods from Turkey, will lose their jobs.
Does this mean that the institutions of the Armenian Diaspora have made efforts, which have no purpose? Of course no. With this action the Armenian Diaspora shows its power. On the other hand, the Diaspora organizations should develop their policies in a manner so that even if they don’t help the national interests of Armenia, at least they don’t do wrong. Let’s explain the issue otherwise. The Diaspora should be either occupied in the problems of the past or those of the future. They cannot do both together.
Certainly, Turkey is not in good relations with Armenia and most definitely it will not become it. Turkey is a powerful state and has enmity towards Armenia. However, Armenia has certain problems now and it is necessary that Turkey temporarily gives up with its enmity towards Armenia. This is required by the national interests of Armenia. By the way, the same national interests required that Armenia at least did not officially thank the US legislatives and did not participate as a state in the process of “abasing” Turkey. In all cases, Armenia did not benefit from it.
As for the mere moral standards, it is a great luxury, which can be done only by the Diaspora.