According to a report by Russian satellite news agency on September 8, Russian Cooperation Agency Director Igor Chikka said that current relations between Russia and Armenia are 'like a big family, where anything can happen.' 'The relations are normal, just like in a big family—everything is possible,' he added.
The 37-year-old Igor Chikar is the younger son of Yuri Chikar, former Chief Prosecutor of Russia and current Plenipotentiary Representative of the President for the North Caucasus Federal District. He worked in business for many years in his early life and took up the position of Director last April.
Russian media report that relations between Russia and Armenia have become significantly complex recently. The background includes the adoption by the Armenian Parliament of a law to initiate the process of joining the European Union, and the Armenian side's proposal to withdraw the franchise of the South Caucasus Railway Company (ЮКЖД). It is worth noting that in the recent policy program adopted by the Armenian government, Russia was not listed as either a "strategic ally" or a "strategic partner" for the first time.
In addition, during the meeting held in Bishkek on September 1st, Russian President Medvedev and Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan discussed the necessity of holding a referendum in Armenia, in order to make a clear decision regarding whether Armenia should continue to be a member of the Eurasian Economic Union or opt for membership in the European Union. However, Yerevan is not in a hurry to hold this vote at this stage. The explanation is that there is no real alternative option at present—since Armenia has not yet officially applied to join the European Union.
