Perception of Armenia in Tbilisi is changing, and regional changes may accelerate closer relations – Joni Melikyan

Yerevan has become more important for Tbilisi than it was before, Joni Melikyan, an expert in Georgia, told Factor.am, commenting on the results of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s working visit to Georgia.

“This positive change took place due to regional changes that took place after November 2020. A situation has been created that both sides should use.” he said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was on a working visit to Georgia to participate in the 11th sitting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between the two countries. Pashinyan had a private talk with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili in Tbilisi.

Melikyan said  the message of the parties is clear, that the relations between the two countries should be expanded.

“In the last few years, it is felt that the perception of Armenia in Tbilisi is changing, and regional changes may accelerate closer relations,” he said. When asked if Nikol Pashinyan tried to persuade Tbilisi to join the “3 + 3” platform, Melikyan said that when even strategic partners Turkey and Azerbaijan could not persuade him, it is not the problem of persuading.

“The problem is that this measure is intended for the superpowers in the region that have interests here, and the West is left out. The West criticizes that measure. This is the reason for Georgia’s negative attitude. First of all, Washington must be persuaded. If the latter agrees, I do not think that Georgia will oppose much.

He added that the positive change in the Armenian-Georgian relations can become a precondition for the implementation of joint regional projects. He pointed out the economic cooperation between the two countries, in particular, the work on the operation of 500 kW high-voltage, which had stopped.