How has Armenia's long-term voluntary blockade in the region affected its socio-economic situation?

Interviews 15:00 14.11.2023

Since the beginning of the Karabakh conflict, Armenia has found itself in a difficult situation in the region from all points of view. The country's lack of healthy relations with regional countries can be considered as its decline.

How has Armenia's long-term voluntary blockade in the region affected its socio-economic situation?

Speaking to Ednews about the issue, Armenian political scientist Ishkhan Verdyan talked about how harmful the policy of Armenia in recent years is for the country:

1685433770_ishhan2-500x295.jpg

"Armenia is trying to compensate for its voluntary blockade with Russia, on which its entire economy rests. The socio-economic situation in the country has deteriorated not as a result of the blockade, but as a result of widespread corruption and business monopoly, which covers almost the entire spectrum of economic activity in the country. Although Nikol Pashinyan could not put an end to monopolies when he came to power, the economy began to breathe freely. In addition, it has proven that Russia-related logistics can sufficiently support Armenia's economic growth. While Pashinyan has nothing to brag about in the foreign policy arena, his successes in the economic field are obvious in the country."

Commenting on the question of how Armenia's recent weak relations with Russia pose a threat to its economy and politics, the expert noted that if we talk about the negative aspects of Pashinyan's rule, first of all, it should be noted that the country has close foreign trade relations with only a few countries:

"Since the economic security of Armenia depends on Russia, the aggravation of relations with Russia puts Armenia in danger of disintegration. If Russia suddenly decides to punish Armenia for its hostile rhetoric, then it can literally plunge Armenia into the stone age. It is at this moment that the blockade imposed by Armenia will bear its fruit - if the supply of goods from Russia stops, then there will be no alternative to replace the goods. The ongoing hostile policy of the Pashinyan government against Azerbaijan has already blocked all possible options for diversification of economic relations. That is why Pashinyan's unfriendly policy towards Azerbaijan and Russia is confusingly unprofessional. The proverb "Don't cut the branch you are sitting on" characterizes the Prime Minister's behavior very well. If Armenia moves away from Russia without changing anything in its relations with Azerbaijan, the country's situation will worsen."

According to the political scientist, the fact that there are more Armenians in Russia than in Armenia is a controversial statement:

"Nevertheless, the Armenian diaspora in Russia is quite effective and, with rare exceptions, fully supports Russia. It is quite normal for Armenians who lived in Russia to show Russian patriotism. Thus, Russian Armenians are criticizing Nikol Pashinyan's behavior from all possible platforms with clearly unfriendly gestures. Perhaps these people are worried about their future, remembering well the mass deportation of Georgians from Russia in the mid-2000s. Therefore, the Armenians of Russia sharply condemn the Pashinyan regime for pursuing a policy that leads to the weakening of relations with Russia. "Armenians living in Russia are in favor of ending Pashinyan's rule as soon as possible."

Farid Akhund

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

Palestinian man shot dead after stabbing Israeli soldier during West Bank raid
21:20 10.07.2025
Israel has agreed to 'significant steps' to improve humanitarian situation in Gaza: EU foreign policy chief
21:00 10.07.2025
EU aims to mobilize up to $11.7B in investments for Ukraine's reconstruction
20:45 10.07.2025
UNAIDS warns funding collapse could lead to 6M new HIV infections, 4M deaths
20:30 10.07.2025
UN report sounds alarm on climate health risks for world's aging population
20:00 10.07.2025
Merz: Germany fully supports Ukraine's plans to join EU
19:45 10.07.2025
Azerbaijani citizens involved in Wagner armed group arrested - State Security Service conducts operation
19:15 10.07.2025
Luka Modric signs one-year contract with Milan
19:00 10.07.2025
Rubio: US hopes to persuade NATO allies to transfer some Patriot systems to Ukraine
18:45 10.07.2025
Zelenskyy: 200 agreements with total value of over €10B ready to be signed
18:30 10.07.2025
Von der Leyen's EU Commission survives Parliament confidence vote
18:15 10.07.2025
SOCAR becomes jersey sponsor of Turkish First League side
18:00 10.07.2025
Azerbaijan takes leading postion in UN digital trade survey
17:45 10.07.2025
Ex-NBA player Ben McLemore sentenced to over 8 years in prison for rape
17:30 10.07.2025
Russia warns Armenia of sanctions risk
17:15 10.07.2025
COP29 President, COP30 President-designate hold discussions at OPEC seminar
17:00 10.07.2025
Ilham Aliyev's meeting with Nikol Pashinyan was constructive
16:55 10.07.2025
Baku says Azerbaijan, Armenia agreed to continue dialogue in bilateral format
16:45 10.07.2025
Peskov: Baku-Yerevan peace treaty will bring stability to South Caucasus
16:30 10.07.2025
Azerbaijan refunds over 94M manats of VAT to consumers
16:15 10.07.2025
Amnesty International slams US sanctions on UN Rapporteur Francesca Albanese
16:00 10.07.2025
China pushes back 50% US 'security' tariffs on copper imports
15:45 10.07.2025
Top Southeast Asian diplomats hold summit with China’s foreign minister
15:30 10.07.2025
Israeli strikes on Gaza leave 97 Palestinians killed, dozens more injured in past day
15:15 10.07.2025
Messi creates history in MLS, becomes first player to achieve rare feat
15:00 10.07.2025
Heavy rain delays over 300 flights in New Delhi
14:45 10.07.2025
Shamakhi to host conference on Modern Information Space and Freedom of Religious Belief
14:30 10.07.2025
At least 28 killed, dozens injured in pre-dawn Israeli strikes across Gaza Strip
14:15 10.07.2025
Court orders arrest of former South Korean president
14:00 10.07.2025
US nuclear-powered submarine makes first port call in Iceland
13:45 10.07.2025
Israeli soldier killed during attempted Hamas abduction in southern Gaza, IDF says
13:30 10.07.2025
ADY and China Railways reach agreement to increase BTK capacity
13:15 10.07.2025
U.S. measles cases hit highest level in 33 years,
13:00 10.07.2025
Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia discuss co-op in hydrocarbon sector
12:45 10.07.2025
UK, France to order more Storm Shadow missiles, plan next-generation replacements
12:30 10.07.2025
Houthis kidnapped crew members of Eternity C vessel, US Embassy in Yemen says
12:15 10.07.2025
President Ilham Aliyev addresses participants of ICDO General Assembly session
12:00 10.07.2025
US to impose 50% tariffs on imports from Brazil starting August — Trump
11:45 10.07.2025
US resumes certain arms shipments to Ukraine
11:30 10.07.2025
SOCAR president participates in OPEC International Seminar
11:15 10.07.2025
Hamısı