Expert questions Armenia's sovereignty as its decisions mirrors Western influence

Concerns about Armenia's sovereignty have resurfaced as experts highlight the nation's growing reliance on foreign influence in decision-making.

According to the expert on Caucasian affairs Karen Igityan, the Armenian government's current perception of sovereignty appears to be closely tied to its stance on Russia, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

Igityan said the ruling elite seemingly equate opposition to Moscow with national independence, while overlooking the country's dependency on Western partners for policy direction

For example, the expert noted, the Armenian Foreign Ministry cannot give a clear answer to the question of participation in the "3+3" meeting, because the decision on this is not made in Yerevan. According to him, the current realities are such that the Armenian authorities must first "to put it mildly, consult with their American and British partners" to make a decision. In the issue of participation in the meeting, the Armenian authorities will act on the basis of the signals they receive from outside.

"This is what the very path of "increasing sovereignty" promoted by the current government looks like. Simply put, in the perception of the current ruling elite, sovereignty is when a country opposes Russia. If you oppose Moscow, you are independent. And the fact that every step is dictated from Washington, London and Brussels does not prevent sovereignty," Igityan said.

For the same reason, the expert believes, the Armenian side did not react to the proposal of the Russian Foreign Ministry representative to hold a meeting with Azerbaijan on the Moscow platform. "There is no reaction to the proposal because they don't know how they will react to it from one capital or another," Igitian added.

According to him, Armenia today in all issues moves in accordance with the agenda of external players rather than its own.