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Index

Armenia

The Urartu Civilisation

Victory for Independence

Artashisian Dynasty on the Armenian Throne

Armenia caught between Rome and the Arsacids

The Acceptance of Christianity

Defending Christianity

Armenia Under the Bagratouni Dynasty

Cilicia - the New Armenia

Armenia Under Turanian Rule

The Renaissance or the Resurrection of Armenia

The Eastern Question

Russia in the Caucasus

The Armenian Question

Battle on Two Fronts

Tsarist Russia Against the Armenians

The Revolution of the Young Turks and the Armenian People on the Eve of World War I

The First World War

The Resurrection of Armenia

Armenia on the Road to Independence, 1918

- Armenia on the Road to Independence, 1918

Eastern Armenia

Western Armenia

"The Fateful Years" (1914-1917)

"Hopes and Emotions" (March-October, 1917)

The Bolshevik Revolution and Armenia

Transcaucasia Adrift (November, 1917

Dilemmas (March-April, 1918)

War and Independence (April-May, 1918)

The Republics of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia

The Suppliants (June-October, 1918)

In conclusion

Soviet Armenia

The Second Independent Republic of Armenia

Epilogue

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Epilogue

How can we summarise almost 2 800 years of Armenian history, during which the Armenian people survived, not only as a people but as a nation? For almost three millennia, the Armenian nation has coexisted with super powers such as Greece, Persia, Rome, Byzantine, the Caliphate, the Ottomans and Russia. The Armenians have established four royal dynasties and two republics. The Armenian nation has survived invasions, assaults, earthquakes and genocide. Armenian history, or rather the history of Armenia, is a saga of heroism, courage, sorrow, devastation and resurrection. The time has come now, however, to look to the present and future possibilities of Armenia.

An understanding and cooperation between the people and the authorities is vital for the development of Armenia, domestic as well as foreign, politically and socially. The lack of self-rule for six long centuries (disregarding the short-lived first republic of 1918-1920) and the past 70 years of isolated Soviet rule, have left their traces, physically and psychologically. In order to forge the shape of the Armenian nation according to the norms of an independent, sovereign and free nation, with just and democratic society, the rust which has eaten its way into the body of the nation must be scourged.

Domestic policy, as in the majority of the former Soviet republics, is still dominated by corruption and an atmosphere of anarchy, comparable to the USA during the 1920s and 1930s when the mafia and outlaws ran the country. In present-day Armenia, it is public knowledge that certain powerful families rule and "own" various important offices and financial and industrial sectors in the country. The motto "it is alright as long as the money gets into Armenian pockets" has saved Armenia from worse internal conflict and civil war, such as have effected Georgia and Azerbaijan. The point has come, however, when this motto is more harmful than helpful. The old "shadow economy" corrodes the economy of the country and paralyzes government action plans to increase the population. The people, on the other hand, lack confidence in the government and regard it as corrupt, a bottomless hole into which most of the state finances and foreign support disappears.

The foreign policy of Armenia, since the very birth of the nation around 2 600 years ago, has been a delicate act of balance. Armenia has always taken careful consideration of its geopolitical position between super powers such as Persia and Greece, Persia and the Roman Empire, Byzantine and the Arab Empire, the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire, the Soviet Union and the West, and today Russia, the EU and the USA and its allies. Armenia is still, to a great extent, dependent on Russia for its security, whilst at the same time it is trying to expand its relations with the West, especially in its strive for modernisation and democratisation. 22

Nagorno-Karabakh remains the dominating topic in the foreign policy of Armenia and the major issue for normalisation of relations with Azerbaijan. Baku refuses to initiate any cooperation whatsoever with Armenia on a higher level (the countries have certain contacts and are members of regional cooperation programs, but have no exclusively common ones) before the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh has been resolved.

Armenia's other Caucasian neighbour, Georgia, shares many interests with Armenia. Armenia prefers a strong, stable and economically developed Georgia, as the country acts as the lifeline between Armenia and the rest of the world for as long as Turkey and Azerbaijan persist in the trade blockade. At the same time, Georgia is the only US ally in the Caucasus which also has friendly relations with Yerevan. Though Georgia has been cautious not to take Armenia's side in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, to maintain its relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan, Georgia is interested in strengthening its relations with Armenia. The Javakhk province, with its overwhelming Armenian majority - the city of Akhalkalak has 13 000 inhabitants of which 96 percent are Armenians (the remaining 4 percent are Russian soldiers) - is a source of concern for the government in Tbilisi. Some within the administration are worried that Armenia may support the local population's attempt for greater autonomy. The existing Armenian regional security policy assures Georgia that Yerevan will not take such measures.

As far as Russia is concerned, Armenia can maintain an optimal balance between the West and Russia as long as the latter cooperates with the West on issues such as international terrorism and nuclear disarmament. Russia still has a significant role in the region, economically as well as in regard to security, and Armenia is its closet ally in Caucasus. Armenia will not jeopardise this close relation but hopes to improve its relations with western countries and institutions, in particularly through cooperation with the European Council and the European Union.

Armenia will expand its relations with the EU, and has set its sights on full membership of the "European family". For some time now, Armenia and the EU have agreed upon a number of different cooperation treaties within social, financial, scientific, technological and cultural areas, which Armenia should facilitate fully. The EU also supports Armenia in improving its democracy, human rights and market economy. By the end of the cooperation programs Armenia will be ready to start the second faze of cooperation, which could eventually lead to membership of the European Union.

In addition to the countries of Europe, the USA will continue to play a significant role in the Caucasus, especially with the prospects of the oil sources in the Caspian Sea. Since September 11, 2001, Armenia has contributed efficiently to the international combat against terrorism by opening its air space for American aircrafts, sharing intelligence information about terrorist resources and money laundering, and providing other assistance. Despite the plans of the oil companies, however, Armenia does not believe that oil will bring peace and stability to the turbulent region; rather that peace and economic integration will instead facilitate the building of the oil pipes and ensure their safety.

Armenia's other important neighbour is Iran. Tehran's view of Armenia is dictated by geopolitical considerations: a number of differences with Turkey and the need to dampen the separatist tendencies in Iranian Azerbaijan, which could threaten the domestic stability of Iran. Despite its neutral position in the Karabakh conflict, Iran does not seem to desire a weakened Armenia. At the same time, Armenia is the most dynamic trade partner of Iran. With the major part of its borders closed – towards Turkey and Azerbaijan – trade with Iran is one of the most important factors in the trade balance of the country. Should the USA and Iran improve their relations, Armenia will be among the very first to optimise on the situation and Yerevan would be very well positioned to act as mediator between these two countries. 23

Finally Turkey, the country in the region that has had almost negligible contact with the independent Armenia. Resolution of the question of the Armenian genocide and the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh remain as the terms for whether Turkey will consider normalising its relations with Armenia. However, the gradual integration of Armenia into Europe and Turkey's ambitions for EU membership puts an increasing pressure on the government in Ankara to revaluate its position towards its eastern neighbour and begin taking measures to resolve the two issues, so that the blockade will eventually be lifted.

Development, above all, must come from within. Armenia needs a system within which a justly elected government can win the trust and support of the general public. Public faith and support will consequently promote the emergence of a stable and strong government, which in its turn will be willing to actively fight corruption in the country, beginning at the top. The government should optimise on the strategic geopolitical position of the country to create an auspicious atmosphere for investment and improvement of the economy. An improved economy will lead to an increase in living standards in Armenia and will allow the government to devote its energy to public welfare.

If Armenia and the Armenians choose to make themselves worthy of their long history, an epic filled with joy, sorrow and pride, the country, through its geographical position and the abilities of its people, can regain its historical position in the region as the living link where East meets West.