The Russian Center for Strategy and Technology Analysis has published a book, "Allies", which examines the economic and military potential of the CSTO member states Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, as well as their relations with Russia.
The reference to Armenia presents the hard economic situation in the country in the 1990s, due to the dissolution of the USSR, the Artsakh conflict, the blockade by Azerbaijan and Turkey and other factors. It is noted that despite the existing difficulties, Armenia, unlike many post-Soviet countries, has achieved relatively high rates of economic growth. Among the branches of the economy, tourism was especially emphasized. It was presented as a rapidly developing branch of the Armenian economy.
In the section on the Armed Forces of Armenia, two important features were singled out: the close interconnection with the Artsakh Defense Army, as well as the presence of Russian border guards and the Russian military base in Armenia.
Referring to the Armenian-Russian bilateral relations in the military sphere, the authors note: "In the hardist conditions created for Armenia after the collapse of the USSR, the leadership of the Republic made a choice in favor of a strategic partnership with Russia. This partnership is perceived as a guarantee of protection from a possible catastrophic scenario, during which Armenia would have to fight alone at the same time with Azerbaijan and Turkey. Against the background of difficult relations with Georgia and Azerbaijan formed in the early 1990s, Armenia actually became a foothold for Russia in the Caucasus".
The Center for Strategy and Technology Analysis emphasizes that the Armenian-Russian relations continue to develop and, as far as possible, Yerevan supports Moscow's position in international organizations.
In the context of problems in the Armenian-Russian relations, the authors of the book singled out the difficulties of transport communication, various economic issues that escalate from time to time, as well as the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
It is noted that the further development of the Armenian-Russian relations and the alliance largely depends on the further steps of the new leadership of Armenia. It is emphasized that the implementation of various projects continues. It is as well as noted the continuation of arms supplies at Russian prices.
