Armenia hopes to join the SCO: Pashinyan wants to "fool Moscow's fools"

Konstantin Zatulin: I hope we will not fall into this trap

Author: Mikhail Zubov

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Konstantin Zatulin

To many people's surprise, Armenia announced its desire to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The Armenian Foreign Ministry released the relevant information.

Following Yerevan's announcement of withdrawal from another organization involving Russia - the Collective Security Treaty Organization - and then launching persecution against Armenian clergy, accusing them of close relations with Russia, this news came as a surprise to many.

Has Pashinyan changed his mind? After all, it is impossible to be hostile towards Russia while joining the SCO.

The SCO was founded in 2001 by leaders of Russia, related countries, and several post-Soviet Central Asian republics, aiming to ensure security and friendly relations.

Later, India, Pakistan, and Iran joined the organization. The latest addition was Belarus on July 4 last year, bringing the total number of member states to 10.

In addition, 20 countries have observer or dialogue partner status, and Armenia is one of them.

What does Yerevan's declaration of desire to join the SCO mean? Can Armenia join the organization? Konstantin Zatulin, a member of the State Duma and director of the Institute for CIS Countries, told "Freedom News":

"I think there is no need to be too happy about this, because it is a typical intelligence agency cover-up operation.

Pashinyan and his team are persecuting those they consider potential threats before next year's election, putting the most influential Armenian and Russian businessmen in prison just because they support the church, demanding the resignation of the Catholicos of All Armenians, and brutally suppressing opposition forces, while at the same time saying, 'We want to join the SCO.'

Evidently, Yerevan believes that we in Moscow are 'fools' and wants to fool us."

They will attend the parade on May 9th, and then go to Albania and meet EU leaders to discuss how to create trouble for Russia.

So, I hope we will not fall into this trap.

"Freedom News": What if this is a genuine intention rather than a strategy?

"If they want to join, let them submit an official application through formal procedures. This will be discussed by the member states of the SCO. But this should not lead anyone to misunderstanding.

This does not mean they give up joining the EU; they have already passed the relevant laws for joining the EU.

It also does not mean Yerevan will stop preparing for the 'marriage' with Turkey, regardless of the historical ties with their own people for thousands of years.

Now, they call former Armenian presidents puppets and the church a puppet - clearly pointing at us. According to them, Russia is the manipulator of all these puppets.

Throughout the period of Armenian independence, we never allowed the Armenian people to live a proper life, deliberately placing the Nagorno-Karabakh issue as a yoke on their heads, and only the heroic Pashinyan can liberate Armenia from it."

"Freedom News": Why is Pashinyan now trying to win over Moscow?

"To consolidate his legitimacy for the elections in June next year. For this purpose, he can make some moves regarding the SCO. They have not abandoned their accusations against the Collective Security Treaty Organization, yet they say: We like the SCO.

A plan is currently being devised to prove Pashinyan's indispensability. The Karabakh issue has damaged the popularity of Russia among Armenians. Pashinyan is eliminating our influence while engaging in some distraction tactics."

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7523407743026266687/

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