Author: Greg Madatian

Armenia-Turkey normalization to positively affect entire region – US State Department

Greg Madatian

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 12:16,

YEREVAN, JULY 13, ARMENPRESS. The State Department of the United States of America has expressed support to the ongoing process of normalizing the relations between Armenia and Turkey.

“The United States strongly supports the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations which will positively affect the entire region. The Armenian-Turkish dialogue has a potential to increase regional stability, curb adverse impact and lead to a greater economic development that is beneficial to all”, the State Department said in response to the inquiry of Voice of America relating to the Armenia-Turkey normalization process and the recent telephone conversation between the Armenian Prime Minister and the Turkish President.

The State Department said that the dialogue between Armenia and Turkey is important especially today, given the developments happening in Ukraine. It added that “the United States is ready to support this important dialogue in a way that both parties consider appropriate”.

Armenpress: “Made in Armenia” NGO will contribute to the economic development of Armenia by strengthening SMEs

Greg Madatian

“Made in Armenia” NGO will contribute to the economic development of Armenia by strengthening SMEs

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 20:21, 7 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 7, ARMENPRESS. Founded at the end of 2021, “Made in Armenia” NGO has set itself the task of supporting and promoting the sale of Armenian products both in the country and abroad, strengthening small and medium enterprises to contribute to the economic development of Armenia. ARMENPRESS reports on July 7, the presentation of the Small and Medium Enterprise Support Program of Made in Armenia NGO was held, which brought together representatives of the state, private and public sectors on one platform to discuss the state of SMEs in the country, problems with export, sales expansion opportunities, investment and other issues related to economic development.

"During the short period of activity, we have started to provide expert support to small and medium-sized enterprises, we have supported the creation of connections with companies providing services in various fields. We are confident that by strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises, we will contribute to the economic development of Armenia," said Ashot Grigoryan, president of Made in Armenia NGO.

Companies engaged in online sales of Armenian products in Armenia and abroad, providing logistics and marketing services help Made in Armenia NGO realize its goals, enabling Armenian manufacturers to undertake comprehensive support in the directions listed above. "We already have quite a successful experience in creating business connections between companies providing services to small and medium manufacturers in various sectors. I hope that by uniting around the ideology of comprehensively supporting the development of Armenian production, making Armenian products preferable, we will be able to jointly contribute to the development of our country's economy," said Grigoryan.

According to the Action Plan of the Government, the state has adopted a policy to increase the role of SMEs in the added value up to 50 percent. Deputy Minister of Economy Rafayel Gevorgyan believes that the comprehensive measures behind all this will create an opportunity to approach that target. He mentioned the government support and subsidy programs as an example.

Asbarez: Houry Boyamian, Decades Long Principal of St. Stephen’s School in Watertown, to Retire

Greg Madatian
 by Contributor

 

 July 7, 2022

 

in Community, Latest, News, Top Stories
 0
Houry Boyamian

St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School, New England’s only Armenian Elementary school, announced Thursday that Principal Houry Boyamian M.Ed., is planning to retire from her position. Boyamian has served in the role since the school was established 34 years ago.

Boyamian’s accomplishments as founding principal include:

  • Leading the accreditation of SSAES by the Association of Independent Schools in New England in 2003
  • Introducing the STEM Initiative in 2011, an initiative to support a deep and sustainable culture of inquiry-based teaching and learning that excites and inspires students
  • Fundraising and overseeing for three consecutive expansions of the physical plant between 1998 and 2012
  • Sending off 18 graduating class trips to Armenia

“We are profoundly grateful to Houry for her years of dedication to the importance and the mission of Armenian education,” said Archpriest Antranig Baljian, pastor, St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church of Greater Boston, sponsor of SSAES. “I know I speak on behalf of the entire community when I say we cannot thank her enough. She built a solid foundation for our school and community that ensures that future generations can benefit from a superior bilingual Armenian and American education.”

Michael Guzelian, chair of the board of directors of SSAES, echoed Der Antranig Baljian: “Houry’s service to the community is immeasurable. Her commitment to the school over the years has been second to none.”

“I feel blessed having been part of a wonderful school community,” said Boyamian. “I cherish my years at St. Stephen’s; they have been the most fulfilling and rewarding years of my life.”
You can read Boyamian’s letter to the community here.

Houry Boyamian with St. Stephen’s Armenian School faculty and students

A search committee, chaired by Guzelian, has been formed to help SSAES find its next leader, with recruitment beginning immediately. Boyamian will stay in her current role until a successor is found and she will provide support during a transition period.

Established in 1984, St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School is dedicated to educational excellence in an environment rich in Armenian culture. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, it is the only Armenian Elementary school in New England, and is accredited by the Association of Independent Schools in New England. Accreditation by AISNE provides quality assurance that a school is meeting rigorous standards in all aspects of its operations and that it is operating in alignment with its mission.

Below is Boyamian’s letter to the St. Stephen’s Armenian School community.

Dear SSAES Teachers, Parents, Friends, and Supporters,

After 34 amazing years as Head of St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School (SSAES), I am writing to inform you that I am planning to retire. I feel blessed having been part of a wonderful school community. I cherish my years at St. Stephen’s; they have been the most fulfilling and rewarding years of my life, challenges and all. Serving St. Stephen’s was not just a job, it was a mission. As a fierce advocate of the importance of Armenian education, coupled with my years of service to the School, the decision to retire was not easy. But I feel this is the right time for a new leader to the take the School to the next level.

One of the most satisfying benefits of being at the School has been watching our students: the development of their sense of identity, their growth, advancement and success at SSAES and beyond. Their involvement, active participation, and leadership roles in the Armenian community, here in the US, as well as in Armenia, has been a great source of pride for me.

Over the years I have been fortunate enough to work with wonderful colleagues who shared the same goals with me, and as a result I developed strong bonds with them. I have worked with various school boards and committees, dedicated teaching and administrative staff, as well as an incredible group of loyal volunteers, all for the betterment of our school. I am extremely proud of all the achievements we have accomplished together, such as the accreditation of the school by the Association of Independent Schools in New England in 2003; the introduction of the STEM Initiative in 2011; the three consecutive expansions of our physical plant between 1998 and 2012; and 18 Graduating Class Trips to Armenia, with an additional one this July, to name just a few. 

I have shared my decision with the School Board of Directors. A search committee, led by Michael Guzelian, chair of the School Board, is being formed to help SSAES find its next leader. Recruitment will begin immediately; I will stay in my current role until a successor is found and provide support during a transition period.

It is with much love and fond memories that I leave my job. I wish the next Head of School much success. SSAES is a magical place; I will treasure it forever. My wish is to see our community and the community at large cherish, protect and contribute to the advancement of this beacon of light and hope for many years to come.

Sincerely,
Houry Boyamian, M.Ed.
Principal

Presentation of book on Artsakh issue by Foreign Ministry of Artsakh held in Stepanakert

Greg Madatian

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 17:52, 6 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS. On July 6, the presentation of the book "The Artsakh Issue and the Foreign Policy of the Republic of Artsakh" authored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh took place in Stepanakert, the Artsakh Foreign Ministry said.

In his opening remarks, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Artsakh David Babayan noted that the work presents the general concept of Artsakh on the Republic’s foreign policy and the Azerbaijani-Karabagh conflict.

“The book is intended for representatives of the legislative and executive bodies, journalists, scientific and educational circles”, said David Babayan.

The Foreign Minister also stressed that the book will be published in Russian, English, German, French and Spanish to make it accessible to a wider readership.

In his speech, Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh Arthur Tovmasyan emphasized the importance of the initiative, noting that the handbook will be useful for young political scientists and in the future – also for members of the Youth Parliament to be formed.

Congratulating the staff of the Foreign Ministry on the publication of the book, State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh Artak Beglaryan stressed that the work will be useful for both statesmen and the novice researchers studying the causes and peculiarities of the Azerbaijani-Karabagh conflict.

“The book is important in terms of jointly advancing the position of Artsakh on the Azerbaijani-Karabagh conflict, coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs”, emphasized Artak Beglaryan.

In his speech Head of the Central Information Department of the President's Office of the Republic of Artsakh Vahram Poghosyan highlighted the importance of publishing such a book in the context of the modern era of information wars.

Clergymen of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, representatives of state, public, scientific and educational circles, journalists were also present at the presentation.

Armenpress: Armenian, Spanish FMs discuss issues of regional security and stability

Greg Madatian

Armenian, Spanish FMs discuss issues of regional security and stability

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 20:59, 6 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, who is on a working visit to Madrid, had a meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno on July 6.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, congratulating each other on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Foreign Ministers noted with satisfaction that during the past three decades, effective cooperation between Armenia and Spain has been formed based on traditional ties and common values.

The interlocutors attached importance to the activation of political dialogue and high-level mutual visits between the two countries, expressing mutual willingness to take steps to deepen cooperation.

The sides exchanged thoughts on the full realization of the cooperation potential in the fields of trade and economy, industry, transport and infrastructure, renewable energy, and information technology. The parties agreed that the organization of business forums and the expansion of ties between business circles will promote bilateral cooperation in these areas.

In the context of activation of human contacts and mutual recognition between Armenia and Spain, the strengthening of ties in the field of tourism was also emphasized. The expansion of educational exchanges and opportunities to study each other's language and culture in both countries was emphasized.

Minister Mirzoyan highly appreciated the decision of the Spanish government to open a resident representation in Armenia, expressing confidence that it will give a new impetus to interstate relations.

During the meeting, reference was made to the cooperation of the two countries on multilateral platforms, as well as within the Armenia-EU partnership.

Regional security and stability issues were also discussed. Foreign Minister of Armenia presented to his Spanish counterpart the situation in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone and the position of the Armenian side on the processes aimed at establishing peace and stability in the region, as well as on the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized the mediating role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs in promoting the settlement process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and finding a lasting solution. Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno noted that Spain supports the comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through peaceful negotiations.

Referring to the humanitarian problems caused by Azerbaijan's aggression against Artsakh, the Armenian FM emphasized that Azerbaijan, in gross violation of international humanitarian law, continues to hold hostage Armenian prisoners of war and civilians, as well as leads a policy of destruction and falsification of origins of the Armenian historical-cultural heritage in the territories that have passed under its control.

The interlocutors also referred to the normalization process of Armenia-Turkey relations.

The Foreign Ministers issued statements for the press based on the result of the talks.

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 07/05/2022

Greg Madatian 
                                        Tuesday, July 5, 2022


EU Vows Continued Support For Armenia-Azerbaijan Dialogue


Belgium - European Council President Charles Michel and Azerbaijani President 
Ilham Aliyev meet in Brussels, May 22, 2022.


The European Union will continue to mediate peace talks between Armenia and 
Azerbaijan, European Council President Charles Michel said after speaking with 
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev by phone on Monday.

They discussed “all issues on the Brussels agenda for the Azerbaijan-Armenia 
dialogue,” Michel said, alluding to Aliyev’s face-to-face talks with Armenian 
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian which he hosted in December, April and May.

“We will continue support in addressing humanitarian, connectivity and border 
issues as well as a future peace agreement,” the head of the EU’s main 
decision-making body added on Twitter.

Michel reported major progress on all these fronts after his last trilateral 
meeting with Aliyev and Pashinian. He said they agreed to meet in Brussels again 
in July or August.

The top EU official did not comment on the next Armenian-Azerbaijani summit 
after his call with Aliyev. The Azerbaijani president’s office also did not 
mention it in its readout of the conversation.

In recent weeks, Baku and Yerevan have accused each other of not honoring their 
understandings brokered by the EU and Russia. Aliyev has implicitly threatened 
to resort to military action, saying that Yerevan is reluctant to demarcate the 
Armenian-Azerbaijani border and open a land corridor connecting Azerbaijan to 
its Nakhichevan exclave.

Pashinian charged last week that Azerbaijan is torpedoing peace talks to prepare 
the ground for another war with Armenia. He said Baku cancelled at the last 
minute a fresh meeting of senior Armenian and Azerbaijani officials which was 
due to take place in Brussels on June 27.

Russia has denounced the EU’s mediation efforts, saying that they are part of 
the West’s attempts to hijack Armenian-Azerbaijani peace talks and use the 
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the standoff over Ukraine.

The Russian Foreign Ministry warned the 27-nation bloc in May against playing 
“geopolitical games” in the conflict zone. A senior EU diplomat insisted 
afterwards that Brussels is “not engaged in any kind of competition” with Moscow.



Armenian Prosecutors Seek Internet Content Regulation

        • Robert Zargarian

Armenia - Prosecutor-General Artur Davtian speaks at an official ceremony in 
Yerevan, July 1, 2022.


Armenia’s outgoing Prosecutor-General Artur Davtian has called on the government 
to consider regulating content posted online, saying that Armenian-language 
Internet platforms are increasingly used for hate speech, drug trade and other 
illegal purposes.

Davtian’s office revealed his written appeal to the government in a statement 
released on Monday. It complained that the country has no legislation or 
government agency to tackle what it described as a growing spread of illicit 
online content.

“In the absence of such control, information platforms continue the unfettered 
spread of such content, distorting and abusing the democratic principle of 
freedom of speech,” read the statement. “By contrast, in a number of countries, 
including Germany, Russia and Georgia, the security of information distributed 
through online resources is regulated by legal acts.”

The Office of the Prosecutor-General gave the example of Russia’s state 
communications regulator Roskomnadzor which can restrict or block access to 
websites refusing to remove unwanted content. It also argued that a German 
government agency is empowered to slap massive fines on Internet platforms 
disseminating illegal material such as racing or other hate speech.

Some Armenian civil rights activists expressed concern over Davtian’s 
initiative, saying that it could lead to unjustified curbs on free speech and 
Armenians’ access to the Internet, which has been practically unrestricted to 
date.

Shushan Doydoyan, who leads the Yerevan-based Center for Freedom of Information, 
said Davtian’s reference to Roskomnadzor is particularly worrying because the 
Russian agency is notorious for media censorship.

“In my view, such initiatives are not the prosecutors’ business,” Doydoyan told 
RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.

According to the prosecutors’ statement, Davtian stressed that the proposed 
regulation of online content would not restrict Armenians’ “constitutional right 
to freely express opinions.”

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s government has not yet publicly reacted to the 
appeal from the chief prosecutor who will complete his six-year term in office 
on September 15.

In a joint declaration issued after their talks held outside Moscow in April, 
Pashinian and Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to step up 
Russian-Armenian “cooperation on international information security.”

“The parties expressed concern about the growing trend of using modern 
information and communication technologies to commit illegal and harmful 
actions, interfere in the internal affairs of states and undermine their 
sovereignty,” said the declaration.



Armenia Must Remain Parliamentary Republic, Says Pashinian

        • Karlen Aslanian

Armenia - The building of the prime minister's office in Yerevan, March 6, 2021.


Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Tuesday reaffirmed plans to enact 
constitutional changes but again spoke out against restoring a presidential 
system of government in Armenia.

“While considering it obvious that the Constitution needs to be constantly 
developed and improved, I must emphasize my belief that Armenia should maintain 
the parliamentary system of government because the events of 2021 proved that 
this system provides more effective mechanisms for crisis management and the 
people’s … decisive participation in the political debate,” Pashinian said in a 
written address to the nation.

The statement was issued on the occasion of Constitution Day, a public holiday 
that marks the anniversary of the adoption of Armenia’s first post-Soviet 
constitution in a disputed referendum held on July 5, 1995.

The constitution gave the president of the republic sweeping powers that were 
slightly curtailed in 2005. It was radically amended in 2015 as then President 
Serzh Sarkisian controversially engineered the country’s transition to a 
parliamentary system of government.

Armenia - Armenians vote in a referendum on switching to parliamentary system of 
government, December 6, 2015.

Pashinian called for fresh constitutional changes last year, saying that his 
administration will consider restoring the presidential system. But he stated 
afterwards that Armenia should remain a parliamentary republic.

This raised more questions about the purpose of a constitutional reform 
“council” set up later in 2021. It consists of state officials, pro-government 
politicians and representatives of non-governmental organizations. The council 
in turn formed a commission comprising five legal scholars tasked with drafting 
constitutional amendments.

The commission coordinator, Davit Hakobian, told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service that 
he and most of his colleagues are also against changing the country’s government 
system.

Hakobian said the ad hoc body is working instead on creating a more effective 
system of constitutional checks and balances. He suggested that it could propose 
giving more powers to the current, largely ceremonial president and even the 
parliamentary opposition.

The two opposition alliances represented in the Armenian parliament were offered 
to appoint two other members of the council. But they refused, saying that the 
purpose of the planned amendments is to help Pashinian cling to power.

Serzh Sarkisian faced similar accusations when he pushed through the sweeping 
constitutional changes in 2015. Sarkisian’s attempt to remain in power as prime 
minister after completing his second and final presidential term in 2018 sparked 
mass protests that brought Pashinian to power.


Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2022 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Armenian, Azerbaijani experts in search of peace in South Caucasus

Greg Madatian
ARMINFO
Armenia – June 29 2022
Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo.The Joint Armenian-Azerbaijani Contact Group on Confidence Building Measures in Support of Lasting Peace in the South Caucasus (JOLIG), consisting of  11 Armenian and Azerbaijani independent experts and opinion makers,  met in Kachreti, Georgia, June 27 and June 28, 2022 to review its  activities and agree on a strategy on how its work on  confidence-building measures can contribute to efforts towards a  lasting peace in the South Caucasus.

As Turan reports, The participants discussed the efforts undertaken  by the governments of the two countries with the support of  international players aimed at creating the proper conditions for the  normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. They  called on the leadership of both countries to remain focused and  committed to this mission.

The participants recognized the serious danger posed by the ongoing  international processes, and in particular the war in Ukraine, which  has implications for all Eastern Partnership countries, as well as  for European and global security. They hoped for a speedy end to the  conflict and for the restoration of peace in Ukraine.

The group emphasized its conviction that confidence-building measures  are necessary for the implementation of the current state of the  Armenian-Azerbaijani relations and are indispensable, as the  governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan seek peaceful solutions to  long-term disputes and contradictions between them.

The group assessed the reaction to its "South Caucasus from War to  Peace, 30 Measures to 2030" report, published on April 2, 2022. It  noted the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the report within the  region and the international community, and especially as expressed  at the advocacy meetings held in Baku on 25 April and in Yerevan on  30 May.

The group has decided to remain in its membership until December 31,  2025, and outlined the steps it will take over the next six-month  period in support of the ongoing peace efforts in the region. The  group decided to intensify its contacts with the governments of  Armenia and Azerbaijan and other local, regional and international  stakeholders to determine the best ways in which it can contribute to  ongoing peace efforts by helping build dialogue and trust and reduce  misperceptions. It will continue to work with the media and civil  society networks to ensure that peace processes are better understood  in Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The members of the Joint Armenian-Azerbaijani Contact Group are:  Ahmad Alili, Mehman Aliyev, Stepan Grigoryan, Taron Hovhannissyan,  Shahla Ismail, Samir Mammadov, Gevorg Melikyan, Johnny Melikyan,  Benyamin Poghosyan, Ramazan Samedov and Anar Veliyev.

The participants of the meeting in Kachreti thanked LINKS Europe for  its continued involvement and contribution to the process of  confidence building in the South Caucasus, as well as the European  Union for supporting their initiative.  Representatives of LINKS  Europe and the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus  attended the meeting in Kachreti and actively contributed to the  discussions.  

U.S. committed to supporting Armenia`s democratic development – Lynne Tracy

Greg Madatian
ARMINFO
Armenia – July 1 2022
Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo. On June 30, 2022, the U.S. Embassy celebrated the 246th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America with an evening music, American food,  and fireworks.  At the event, U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy reaffirmed  U.S. support for democratic development in Armenia.

"The stories of our partnership encompass support for democratic  institutions, civil society, free and fair journalism, economic  growth, energy diversification, inclusive education, improved  healthcare, access to water, security cooperation, preservation of  cultural heritage, exchange programs, and humanitarian needs,"  Ambassador Tracy said in her remarks.   

"We have partnered with Armenians in and out of government,  like-minded diplomats and international organizations, and American  citizens, including proud Armenian-Americans.  The tie that has  animated this cooperation has been a shared sense of values.  And, it  is the power of these partnerships that has helped drive the  significant progress we have seen in Armenia over the past thirty  years," she added.

On behalf of Armenia's Government, Armenian Vice-Premier Hambardzum  Matevosyan congratulated Ambassador Tracy. 

The U.S Government has been supporting Armenia since it gained  independence, being committed to the Armenia people's desire to live  in a free, democratic country with rule of law and no corruption, he  said. 

The Armenia-U.S. relations reached a new level after the velvet  revolution, with the bilateral intergovernmental economic  consultations evolving into a strategic dialogue, Mr Matevosyan said. 

He pointed out numerous fields of bilateral cooperation – from legal  reforms to corruption control, energy and IT sectors. The  Armenia-U.S. strategic dialogue resumed its annual sessions this  spring. 

One of the achievements of the strategic dialogue is the Memorandum  of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation  (NCMOU). Development of cooperation in this field will open up new  opportunities for Armenia. 

Armenia highly appreciates the U.S. efforts at a peaceful settlement  of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group, Mr  Matevosyan said. He voiced hop that the efforts will be consistent  and peace will be established in the region, with the Artsakh  Armenians' rights respected.  

Mr Matevosyan stated Armenia appreciates the recognition of the  Armenian Genocide by the Joe Biden administration. That was a great  step toward the Armenians' just struggle throughout the world and a  harsh response to the Genocide deniers. This confirms the U.S.  remains committed to the supremacy of human rights and panhuman  values. 

Independence Day, which Americans celebrate as the birthday of the  United States of America, takes place on July 4 each year, in honor  of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

Five members of the renowned Hover State Chamber Choir performed the  Armenian and U.S. National Anthems in honor of the occasion.  The  theme of the event is the 30th anniversary of the U.S. – Armenia  relationship.  

Secretary for West of Indian Foreign Ministry to visit Armenia

Greg Madatian

 

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 17:11, 2 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 2, ARMENPRESS. On July 4, the Secretary for West of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of India Sanjay Verma will arrive in Armenia, Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vahan Hunanyan said in a statement on social media. 

Sanjay Verma will participate in the 8th session of the Armenian-Indian Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation in the Fields of Trade, Economy, Technology, Science, Education and Culture.

Opposition MP: Armenian authorities preparing people for ‘new big concessions’

Greg Madatian
Panorama
Armenia –

Tigran Abrahamyan, a lawmaker from the opposition Pativ Unem (With Honor) faction, on Tuesday reacted to Nikol Pashinyan’s latest statements on the risk of renewed war.

At an online news conference on Monday, the Armenian premier accused Azerbaijan of hampering peace efforts in an attempt to legitimize a new war against Armenia.

“First, Pashinyan is actually saying that the peace agenda promoted by him has failed; he cannot fulfill the key promise made to the people,” the MP wrote on Facebook.

“Second, Pashinyan says that in the absence of a chief of the General Staff, with an incompetent defense minister and an irresponsible commander-in-chief we will face a new war.

“Of course, I'm inclined to think that the authorities are preparing the people for new big concessions by intimidating them with [warnings about] a new war, but I do not rule out that at some point Armenia will get both losses and a new war,” Abrahamyan said.