Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU) hosted on October 1 prominent political scientist, Director of the New York branch of the Russian Institute of Democracy and
Cooperation, Professor, Honorary Doctor of ASPU, Andranik Mihranyan.
The latter said it was a great honour for him to revisit the ASPU - a university rich in traditions, and reiterated his opinion expressed at the University two years ago that Khachatur Abovyan has been the greatest Armenian geopolitical thinker who believed that Armenia should turn its state vector towards Russia.
During the ASPU-hosted meeting, the political scientist referred to the consequences of Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union that has stirred up heated discussions at different circles. Also, he touched upon the current phase of Russian-American relations and Syrian conflict.
Andranik Mihranyan underlined that Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union was not accidental. “Considering its geopolitical location, Armenia could not possibly put its economic and security issues in different sides. The fact is that Armenia depends on Russia for gas, electric power and other economic resources. The main economic infrastructures in Armenia are also in the hands of various Russian companies,” the political scientist said stressing that Armenia’s authorities are carrying out a flexible and wise policy.
Andranik Mihranyan also spoke about the unfulfilled promises of Europe, the not enviable neighbours of Armenia and other benefits of Armenia’s accession to Russian-led Customs Union. “When establishing relations with other states, countries need to understand to what extent their interests coincide. Armenia’s membership to the Customs Union will benefit the country and put it in a better position in negotiations with Europe and other countries, rather than close the door to Europe,” he said. Andranik Mihranyan considers the antagonism between Russia and Europe to be imaginary and says Russia is not against European values.
In his closing remarks, Andranik Mihranyan assured the attendees that the Armenian diplomacy has had a double victory: Armenia has decided to continue developing both in Russian and European directions, leaving an open door for Armenian-European rapprochement.
Referring to the relations between Syria, US and Russia, the political scientist said America's policy towards the Middle East caused great shocks and had negative consequences; a number of well-known politicians in the US hold the same opinion.
Andranik Mihranyan says it is time that the US listened to Russia, stopped threatening strikes in Syria and recovered the chaotic situation there.
In the second part of the meeting, the political scientist answered the attendees’ questions concerning Artsakh’s security after Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union.
At the end of the meeting, ASPU Rector Rouben Mirzakhanyan awarded Andranik Mihranyan with the medal symbolizing the 90th anniversary of the University and thanked him again in the name of the University’s students and professorial teaching team for visiting the University and expressing his viewpoint on a number of issues troubling the public.
