“We have already been organizing mass trips to Armenia for Armenians, residing in Moscow and Petersburg, Armenian community representatives of Rostov, Krasnodar Territory, Siberia, the Far East, the North for five years. Over 2 million Armenians live in Russia today,” stated President of the Union of Armenians of Russia and the World Armenian Congress Ara Abrahamyan, reported Rossiyskaya Gazeta. “We want them to preserve ties with their historical fatherland. This year was our jubilee trip to Armenia. The Union of Armenians of Russia is 5 years old,” Abrahamyan remarked. In his words, the delegation always includes Russian public representatives, members of Russian writers’ unions, journalists. “All events this year were held within the framework of the Year of Russia in Armenia. There was a beautiful tradition before – Soviet Union’s republics had decades at each other’s. These are not held at present, but Russia’s years in other CIS states are being held. Armenia will be presented in Russia next year. This is an attempt to preserve the common cultural and information space,” Mr. Abrahamyan added.
As of the attitude of Armenia’s population towards Russia, “Both political circles and wide public in Armenia have strong Russian-leaning moods and sympathize Russia on the whole,” Abrahamyan added. It is enough to say that all Russian channels are broadcast in Armenia. A Russian military base is situated in Armenia, Russian frontier troops guard Armenia’s borders along with their Armenian colleagues. The military and political relations between our countries are at a very high level. However, rather worrying trends are observed in the field lately. I suppose Russia had better think over it. There are certain negative dynamics in the moods of the Armenian society towards Russia, stated President of the Union of Armenians of Russia. More and more people in Armenia today look at Brussels and especially Washington. New power centers become involved in the region. This have a cultural impact, form their universities, network structures. They become involved in the economic and social and cultural life of the country. It is enough to mention that nor Russia and even not the US, but Iran is building a gas pipeline to Armenia today. This evidences Armenia will less depend on Russia in the energy resources in the near future, to say nothing of Russian presence not being felt in Armenia in a number of respects.”
