Bbc news. The day ended with an unexpected visit to Baku by Vice-Premier Dmitry Rogozin. Intrigue travel was added that there was no official information that prompted Rogozin, together with the management of Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport, the Federal service for military-technical cooperation (FSMTC), so suddenly to visit the capital of Azerbaijan. The importance of the issues to be discussed, said the level of meetings — the Russian Deputy Prime Minister held talks with President Ilham Aliyev.
The next day in Baku held talks Deputy foreign Minister of Russia Grigory Karasin and foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov. “Discussed issues of bilateral Russian-Azerbaijani relations, including preparations for meetings at the political level according to the existing agreements. The parties exchanged views on developments in the region, prospects of cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan with neighboring States. Special attention was paid to the subject of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, as well as the process of developing documents concerning international cooperation in the Caspian sea”, — said the press service of the Russian foreign Ministry.
Regard to the purpose of the visit Rogozin in Baku, something about them with reference to its sources reported “Kommersant”. According to the source, the main topic of negotiations will be the settlement of military-technical cooperation between the two countries, as due to the fall in energy prices in Baku are not able to pay off with Russia under previously signed arms contracts. “So much so, that they have ordered the equipment was manufactured and delivered, but still stands without movement at the port awaiting discharge and resolution of the whole situation”, — said one of the interlocutors.
Following the talks, Rogozin in Baku in official press releases question about the solvency of Baku raised, of course, was not. However, the fact that it was discussed, shows the entry Rogozin on his official Twitter page: “Important: the parties confirmed that they are responsible and reliable partners, including in such a sensitive area as military-technical cooperation”.
The fact that this area is sensitive, confirmed by the reaction of Armenia on supplies of Russian arms to Azerbaijan. Moreover, if the Republic’s authorities are trying not to publicly sharply criticized the Russian ally, the Armenian media speak honestly on this topic. They draw attention to the fact that in addition to moral side of the issue, and this violates Russia’s commitments within the CSTO (article 1 of the Treaty on collective security. States parties will not enter into military alliances or participate in any groupings of States as well as in activities directed against another state party). Indicates in particular that, purchasing Russian weapons, the Azerbaijani authorities do not hide that it is intended for war with Armenia. Especially strange this trade of Moscow and Baku looks at the background of the fact that NATO countries (except Turkey) led the USA refuse to sell arms to both sides.
Besides, Azerbaijan purchased some weapons systems, for example, reactive systems of salvo fire “Smerch”, can be used against peaceful settlements. This is evidenced by how the wide use of Azerbaijani side MLRS “Grad” against the Armenian towns and villages in the years of the Karabakh war 1992-1994 biennium, and the recent hostilities in the Donbass.
As for the Armenian authorities, they are only in the last two years have begun to publicly Express their dissatisfaction with the actions of Russia. The position of Yerevan on this issue was outlined by the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan. “From the day of formation of the Armenian Armed forces, we thank our ally (Russia — EADaily) for their support. Of course, in these respects, we are concerned that Russia, for various reasons, sell weapons to Azerbaijan, and the problem here not as weapons. The problem is that standing on the border of the Armenian soldier is aware that his attempt to kill the Russian arms. This is the hardest circumstance, and it can be bad for our relations,” — said almost a year ago Sargsyan during the international media forum titled “on foothills of Ararat”.
However, in unofficial conversations representatives of the military and political circles of Armenia emphasize that their concern is not so much the military side of the issue, as moral and political. According to them, lessons of the Armenian military weapons, including through cooperation with Russia, it is enough to inflict a crushing defeat if it attempts to resolve the Karabakh conflict by force.
The last bbc news example to Moscow’s support of the combat capabilities of the Armenian army became soft loan of $ 200 million intended for the purchase of modern Russian weapons. At the time of ex-defense Minister of Armenia Vagharshak Harutyunyanhighlighted the contribution of Russian side to increase the fighting efficiency of the Armenian armed forces with supplies to Yerevan weapons at below market prices. “If Azerbaijan’s military budget is officially estimated at $ 3.6 billion, a Armenia — $ 400 million, and the Armenian side managed to keep the balance of power in the region, that means $ 3.2 billion are completed due to the fact that Russia undertakes to ensure security,” he said. Thus, according to Harutyunyan, Yerevan is beneficial to Azerbaijan bought armament from Russia, poolco, thereby, Baku dependent on Russian components and technologies.
With all this, it should be noted that in Moscow gradually there is an understanding that hopes to strengthen its influence in Azerbaijan with assistance in arming it with modern weapons was not justified. Baku has not become a party to the Moscow-initiated integration projects, actively participating in all Western energy projects aimed at reducing Europe’s dependence on Russian energy resources, and in due time brought the case to the withdrawal from its territory of the Russian radar station in Gabala.
Amid the Russian-Turkish conflict, given the sympathy and actions of Baku,the experts begin to wonder how justified the continuation of the previous policy on the supply of offensive weapons to Azerbaijan. Especially, in the absence of significant dividends from this political and now of the purely material sphere.
In the end, no matter how it is profitable from an economic point of view, the continuation of military-technical cooperation with Baku, the political risks for Moscow is now higher. Talking about the CSTO, which is undergoing difficult times due to the lack of unconditional support (except for Armenia) the leader of Russia in its confrontation with Turkey. In the case of a new Armenian-Azerbaijani war, the organization may be put into a very unpleasant situation.
Podrobnee:http://eadaily.com/news/2016/03/09/rossiyskoe-oruzhie-dlya-azerbaydzhana-prodavat-ili-ne-prodavat
The day ended with an unexpected visit to Baku by Vice-Premier Dmitry Rogozin. Intrigue travel was added that there was no official information that prompted Rogozin, together with the management of Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport, the Federal service for military-technical cooperation (FSMTC), so suddenly to visit the capital of Azerbaijan. The importance of the issues to be discussed, said the level of meetings — the Russian Deputy Prime Minister held talks with President Ilham Aliyev.
The next day in Baku held talks Deputy foreign Minister of Russia Grigory Karasin and foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov. “Discussed issues of bilateral Russian-Azerbaijani relations, including preparations for meetings at the political level according to the existing agreements. The parties exchanged views on developments in the region, prospects of cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan with neighboring States. Special attention was paid to the subject of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, as well as the process of developing documents concerning international cooperation in the Caspian sea”, — said the press service of the Russian foreign Ministry.
Regard to the purpose of the visit Rogozin in Baku, something about them with reference to its sources reported “Kommersant”. According to the source, the main topic of negotiations will be the settlement of military-technical cooperation between the two countries, as due to the fall in energy prices in Baku are not able to pay off with Russia under previously signed arms contracts. “So much so, that they have ordered the equipment was manufactured and delivered, but still stands without movement at the port awaiting discharge and resolution of the whole situation”, — said one of the interlocutors.
Following the talks, Rogozin in Baku in official press releases question about the solvency of Baku raised, of course, was not. However, the fact that it was discussed, shows the entry Rogozin on his official Twitter page: “Important: the parties confirmed that they are responsible and reliable partners, including in such a sensitive area as military-technical cooperation”.
The fact that this area is sensitive, confirmed by the reaction of Armenia on supplies of Russian arms to Azerbaijan. Moreover, if the Republic’s authorities are trying not to publicly sharply criticized the Russian ally, the Armenian media speak honestly on this topic. They draw attention to the fact that in addition to moral side of the issue, and this violates Russia’s commitments within the CSTO (article 1 of the Treaty on collective security. States parties will not enter into military alliances or participate in any groupings of States as well as in activities directed against another state party). Indicates in particular that, purchasing Russian weapons, the Azerbaijani authorities do not hide that it is intended for war with Armenia. Especially strange this trade of Moscow and Baku looks at the background of the fact that NATO countries (except Turkey) led the USA refuse to sell arms to both sides.
Besides, Azerbaijan purchased some weapons systems, for example, reactive systems of salvo fire “Smerch”, can be used against peaceful settlements. This is evidenced by how the wide use of Azerbaijani side MLRS “Grad” against the Armenian towns and villages in the years of the Karabakh war 1992-1994 biennium, and the recent hostilities in the Donbass.
As for the Armenian authorities, they are only in the last two years have begun to publicly Express their dissatisfaction with the actions of Russia. The position of Yerevan on this issue was outlined by the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan. “From the day of formation of the Armenian Armed forces, we thank our ally (Russia — EADaily) for their support. Of course, in these respects, we are concerned that Russia, for various reasons, sell weapons to Azerbaijan, and the problem here not as weapons. The problem is that standing on the border of the Armenian soldier is aware that his attempt to kill the Russian arms. This is the hardest circumstance, and it can be bad for our relations,” — said almost a year ago Sargsyan during the international media forum titled “on foothills of Ararat”.
However, in unofficial conversations representatives of the military and political circles of Armenia emphasize that their concern is not so much the military side of the issue, as moral and political. According to them, lessons of the Armenian military weapons, including through cooperation with Russia, it is enough to inflict a crushing defeat if it attempts to resolve the Karabakh conflict by force.
The last example to Moscow’s support of the combat capabilities of the Armenian army became soft loan of $ 200 million intended for the purchase of modern Russian weapons. At the time of ex-defense Minister of Armenia Vagharshak Harutyunyanhighlighted the contribution of Russian side to increase the fighting efficiency of the Armenian armed forces with supplies to Yerevan weapons at below market prices. “If Azerbaijan’s military budget is officially estimated at $ 3.6 billion, a Armenia — $ 400 million, and the Armenian side managed to keep the balance of power in the region, that means $ 3.2 billion are completed due to the fact that Russia undertakes to ensure security,” he said. Thus, according to Harutyunyan, Yerevan is beneficial to Azerbaijan bought armament from Russia, poolco, thereby, Baku dependent on Russian components and technologies.
With all this, it should be noted that in Moscow gradually there is an understanding that hopes to strengthen its influence in Azerbaijan with assistance in arming it with modern weapons was not justified. Baku has not become a party to the Moscow-initiated integration projects, actively participating in all Western energy projects aimed at reducing Europe’s dependence on Russian energy resources, and in due time brought the case to the withdrawal from its territory of the Russian radar station in Gabala.
Amid the Russian-Turkish conflict, given the sympathy and actions of Baku,the experts begin to wonder how justified the continuation of the previous policy on the supply of offensive weapons to Azerbaijan. Especially, in the absence of significant dividends from this political and now of the purely material sphere.
In the end, no matter how it is profitable from an economic point of view, the continuation of military-technical cooperation with Baku, the political risks for Moscow is now higher. Talking about the CSTO, which is undergoing difficult times due to the lack of unconditional support (except for Armenia) the leader of Russia in its confrontation with Turkey. In the case of a new Armenian-Azerbaijani war, the organization may be put into a very unpleasant situation.
