Russian-Turkish and Russian-Azerbaijani energy projects might turn into a close cooperation, said Giro Manoyan, ARF Dashnaktsutyun leader and Armenian Cause office Head.

According to him, Armenia has to be vigilant not to allow this cooperation to affect its interests. Meanwhile, he recalled Russia to be Armenia’s strategic partner which is not “for free”. First of all it meets Russia’s interests, secondly with a glance to probable danger from Turkey. So there is no need to panic, and have confidence in Moscow only. Manoyan assumes Yerevan even today being as CSTO member easily collaborates with NATO.

Commenting on Russia’s attempts to seize the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement initiative from West, ARFD leader outlined that considers this process the initiative of Yerevan with Ankara’s response as a result of August 2008 war. If it is the merit of the West, Turkey would yield to pressure long ago. “Presently, U.S. is excited with this bilateral project. However, Russia is reluctant to stay aside not to enable this process to assume anti-Russian tendency. It is evident that West tried to decrease Russia’s influence in South Caucasus by means of Armenian-Turkish rapprochement,” Manoyan added.

As for Putin-Erdogan meeting in Ankara, he emphasized the core issue of the discussion was energy, that is two conflicting projects – Nabucco and South Stream. Moreover, the main purpose of Putin’s visit was the urge towards failing Nabucco, essentially Russian project and if possible to gain Ankara over his side.