"Armenian Tragedy, But Who Is Responsible?
Jan Soykok, JTW
Newly independent Republic of Armenia is a landlocked country. Armenia is surrounded by 100 million Turkish (Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iranian Azerbaijan) and Georgia. It has no significant natural resources and fertile territories. Its population relatively low, about 3 million and the immigration to Russia, Europe and North America has dramatically continued. Armenian economy has been depended on aids from the US and Armenian diaspora. Armenian workers� financial transfers also have a significant contribution to the economy. In short, Armenia, had to develop good relations with its neighbors in order to end its isolation. However the Armenian Governments has chosen an awkward way: Unlike the other former USSR republics, Armenia forged its links with the Russian Federation. Georgia and Azerbaijan for instance made efforts to lessen their dependency to Russia. Both states have tried to balance Russia with the European Union (EU), the United States (US) and Turkey. Armenia, on the other hand, has been skeptical in developing relations with these three �alternatives�."
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