"Insight" Analytical Center Expert: For Decades Armenia Has Been Important Country on Silk Road

• 03.30.2015, 19:06
•  Asia,  World

"For decades Armenia has been an important country on the Silk Road and it is praiseworthy that in the 21^st century Armenia has again expressed its willingness to regain its positions on the present day Silk Road that is to be established. If the desire of the Armenian side to become a transit country for the  Silk Road becomes a reality, no doubt it will open new prospects of development for the country," - stated the expert of "Insight" Analytical Center for Applied Policy and  Research, Naira Mkrtchyan referring to the agreements on the Silk Road initiative gained between Armenia and China as a result of Serzh Sargsyan’s recent visit to China.

In her speech the expert clarified the essence of this initiative underling the important factor that is to be considered: the Silk Road will not be comprised of a single route but will be a group of routes that will connect China to the West, to Central Asia, to South Caucasus  and to East Asia.

Commenting on the compatibility of this Chinese initiative and other economic initiatives in the region, Naira Mkrtchyan noticed that it was not by chance that during the visit of RA President to China there were discussions on such economic plans as North-South Transport Corridor as well as the railroad that is to connect Armenia to Iran; the initiatives that are, according to her, completely compatible with the future plans of the Silk Road.  

Naira Mkrtchya in her speech stated that Armenian’s accession to the Eurasian Economic  Union (EEU) is also  compatible to the future  construction of the Silk Road. According to her Armenia’s membership to EEU will widen the scope of cooperation between Armenia and China thus  contributing to Armenia’s strengthened  positions in the  Silk Road initiative.

Concluding her speech, Naira Mkrtchyan tried to explain the logic of China’s cooperation with other countries citing the words of the Chinese president Xi Jinping: "If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go accompanied."