Author: Ani Basmajian

Armenia’s second President Robert Kocharyan, the leader of the Armenia bloc running in Sunday’s snap parliamentary elections, on Wednesday said the current authorities are seeking reelection after “failing to fulfil any of their promises and lacking any personnel resources.”

At a meeting with voters in the town of Artik in Armenia’s Shirak Province, he blamed the authorities for “discrediting” the entire state system.

He noted that the government can be trusted or not, but when it ceases to be respected, it causes disasters, preventing the government from implementing any program.

"Armenia is a country which has always faced very serious security threats. Over the recent three years, 5 directors of the National Security Service and 4 chiefs of the General Staff have been replaced, with the latter being replaced amid an undeclared war,” Kocharyan said.

"In a country experiencing an economic crisis, three ministers of economy have been replaced. Is this a sabotage or stupidity? Let everyone judge for themselves," the ex-president told the meeting, adding that the current authorities do not realize what the stability in the state administration means.

The leader of the Armenia bloc claimed that today the country’s Foreign Ministry is non-functional and cannot work in that crucial sphere, while the whole system is led by a man, who cannot “control himself, but believes that he can rule a country.”

Expressing conviction that his team will win the June 20 elections due to their superior experience and knowledge, he stated: “We will never appoint a lawyer to lead the healthcare sector, or we will never appoint a historian to lead the water economy, we will rely on professional knowledge and will appoint people who are able to manage others.”

Robert Kocharyan assured that only those people who value their reputation and won't be “snubbed a handshake” after leaving office will be involved in the state administration.

Announcing that his team plans to build a national state, to quickly restore the economy and to handle security issues, Robert Kocharyan asked the attendees to convey his message to those citizens who have not yet decided who to vote for. 

Third President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on Thursday ruled out the possibility of establishing a corridor through Armenia for Azerbaijan.

At a meeting with supporters of his I Have the Honor electoral bloc in the town of Masis, Sargsyan said he completely objects to such a plan.

“There is no problem when it comes to unblocking the regional communications. But are we obliged to give any corridor to them? Under what document or arrangement and what for?” the ex-president said.

“I am not aware of such an arrangement. If we oust them [the current authorities], I assure you that no one in power will ever think about such a corridor,” Sargsyan said.

He underlined establishing a corridor in Armenia is “out of the question”.

“How can we separate a part from our territory and say that it is falling under someone else’s control. It is ruled out,” he added.

The I Have the Honor alliance has been formed by the former ruling Republican Party of Armenia led by Sargsyan and the Homeland Party.

"If Armenia's de facto authorities agree to sign the second capitulation agreement on delimitation with Azerbaijan based on topographic maps of the  General Staff of the Soviet Union, we will have new territorial losses, violation of our dignity and an identity crisis," Co-Founder of "Armenian project" scientific-educational NGO Edgar Elbakyan told reporters during the trip to Tavush province. In Elbakyan's words, in case of these negative developments, the enemy will get three enclaves – Sofulu, Barkhudarlu and Upper Voskepar.  

"If these settlements are surrendered and the contact line is moved further into the territory of Armenia, it would cross near the Holy Mother of God Church of the 7th century, while Voskepar village will be circled by the enemy border. Moreover, the 2-km long section of the highway, connecting Armenia with Georgia, will also fall under the control of the enemy," said Elbakyan.  

The expert went on suggesting that in that case the population will migrate from Voskepar village amid lack of security guarantees. Moreover, the village will face shortage in irrigation water as it receives water from Upper Voskepar. Two houses from Kirants village may also be handed over to the enemy, as those are part of the enclave, while Acharkut village will occur in a blockade. 

"Another major damage coming from possible delimitation agreement is the change of the frontline in Tavush and Ararat bordering with Nakhijevan, which will be another blow to the Armenian army," added Elbakyan. In the words of the expert, the agreement seeks a long-term goal of depriving Armenia of any potential to resist as the two major routes connecting Armenia with Iran and Georgia will fall under Azerbaijani control. 

"Azerbaijan pursues long-term and short-term goals, getting prepared for the next war," said Elbakyan, adding any person who has understanding of the regional priorities can predict a futre war that may also ensure Armenia's revenge. In his words, Armenia should get prepared for the war as well which is impossible without reconsidering of the Artsakh issue. The latter should be addressed through diplomatic means, revitalizing the institute of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship.