How to soften big conflicts in small ways

The Christian Science Monitor
Monday
How to soften big conflicts in small ways
A new democratic leader in Armenia is treading a special path by looking to end a tense standoff with Azerbaijan with a 'people-oriented approach.'
 
 the Monitor's Editorial Board
 
Commentary

One rare tool in diplomacy is to not let diplomats play a leading role in resolving conflicts between nations. An alternative approach, known as "track II diplomacy," entails informal contacts between individuals and groups such as academics, artists, athletes, or simply residents across a hostile border.

Such people-to-people exchanges can build up goodwill and trust. They are sometimes key in ending bullet-for-bullet exchanges.

The two Koreas are trying it. India and China, after a tense military standoff last year, are firming up plans for people-to-people contacts. Last month, 150 young people from Arab and European countries met in Qatar to find common ground on issues that divide their "civilizations."

Now Armenia is exploring whether it can resolve a territorial dispute with Azerbaijan by using a "people-oriented" approach, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG). The two former Soviet states have been at odds since a war in the early 1990s over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave and seven surrounding districts. Official distrust is high. Compromises seem illusive.

"We can change our approach," one Armenian official told ICG. "Instead of discussing only political demands, we could begin to focus more on people and their needs, from two sides."

What's new in the conflict is that Armenia experienced a peaceful revolution last April that brought in a much more democratic government led by a journalist-turned-politician, Nikol Pashinyan.

The new prime minister is looking for creative ways to end a virtual state of war that holds back the economies of both countries. Many in his new government came out of civil society and have seen the power of grass-roots activism.

Since April, officials from both sides have made some contact. Their defense officials have restored lines of communication along the border. Their foreign ministers have met three times. But to break a diplomatic logjam, attitudes within each country need to shift.

Humanitarian gestures would help, starting with a release of prisoners or coordination on demining civilian areas near the front lines. Armenians could reach out to the Azerbaijanis displaced by the conflict.

As the long Israeli-Palestinian conflict shows, not all people-to-people contact or humanitarian gestures will lead to peace. Ethnic or religious identities that drive a conflict are not easily transcended by wider views of common interests and values. Yet the latest approach to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is worth watching.

Often it takes nonpolitical contact or humanitarian gestures between peoples for progress. As the late American journalist Edward R. Murrow stated, "The real link in the international exchange is the last three feet, which is bridged by personal contact, one person talking to another." By tender acts, peace can arrive from the bottom up.


Azerbaijani Press: Low turnout in Armenia shows people’s disappointment in Pashinyan’s promises

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Dec 11 2018

By Abdul Kerimkhanov

Low turnout in Armenia shows people's disappointment in Pashinyan’s promises, Evgeny Mikhailov, Russian political analyst and expert on international issues, said in an interview with Azernews.

He was commenting the results of early parliamentary elections held in Armenia on December 9.

"The low turnout of the population at the polling stations showed the new leadership of the republic in the person of Nikol Pashinyan that the people are already disappointed in his promises and do not understand where Pashinyan leads Armenia to," the expert said.

Mikhailov believes that Pashinyan urgently needs to build a dialogue primarily with Russia, which has recently also been disappointed with the anti-Russian attacks from Pashinyan’s supporters.

"This is the only way out. The rest of the world does not need Yerevan, and in vain the new government feels hope for some Western countries and their help. The republic will simply be sold off in parts, and the population will leave the country. Again, if Moscow does not intervene. The return of the Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan and talks on assistance from Baku, can be the way out of the crisis for Armenia, but this issue will be decided upon apparently by the government," he said.

The analyst noted that it is more difficult to build relations with Pashinyan. 

"On the contrary, having pro-Western views, he is inclined to try to unleash a conflict and draw some international forces and, above all, the U.S. into it. That is, taking into account the above-mentioned facts, it can be assumed that Russia will sharply oppose this, including by increasing pressure on Yerevan in the soonest possible restoration of the protectorate of Azerbaijan in its occupied territories," said Mikhailov.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

As a result of Armenia's armed invasion into Azerbaijan's legal territory, the two neighboring countries have remained locked in a bitter territorial dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which Armenia-backed separatists seized from Azerbaijan in a bloody war in the early 1990s.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.

Despite Baku's best efforts, peace in the occupied lands remains a mirage in the distance as Armenia refuses to comply with international law.

European Union looks forward to work with ‘democratically elected new Parliament and future Government’ of Armenia

European Union looks forward to work with ‘democratically elected new Parliament and future Government’ of Armenia

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10:24,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS. The European Union “looks forward to working with the democratically elected new Parliament and the future Government to deepen our political and economic relations based on the joint commitments of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement [CEPA]”, Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations at the European Union External Action Service said in a statement.

On 9 December, Armenia held early elections to the National Assembly, which were the first national elections after the political transition of April-May 2018.

As stated by the International Elections Observation Mission, these elections “were held with respect for fundamental freedoms and enjoyed broad public trust that needs to be preserved through further electoral reforms".

The European Union is committed to a stable, democratic and prosperous future of Armenia. The early parliamentary elections were important in terms of enhancing public trust towards the electoral process in Armenia. We expect all stakeholders to continue concerted efforts towards further democratisation and modernisation of the country.

We look forward to working with the democratically elected new Parliament and the future Government to deepen our political and economic relations based on the joint commitments of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement”, the statement said.

Caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s My Step Alliance won a landslide victory in the general election with 70,43 %.

Two other parties, Prosperous Armenia (BHK) and Luminous Armenia (LHK), were also elected to parliament with 8,27% and 6,37% votes respectively.

The former ruling party, the Republican Party (HHK), failed to garner the minimum required votes. 

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Political will of current authorities enabled to hold democratic elections in Armenia – PACE observer group

Political will of current authorities enabled to hold democratic elections in Armenia – PACE observer group

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17:47,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. Aleksander Pociej, Head of the delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), says the 2018 peaceful, “velvet” revolution, in conjunction with the political will of the current authorities, enabled the holding of democratic elections in Armenia, reports Armenpress.

At a meeting with reporters, Aleksander Pociej said PACE has observed every election in Armenia since 1995. “Despite the complex electoral system and reported instances of intimidation via social media, the recurring electoral irregularities which tainted many elections in the past were absent. It is up to Armenia’s elected representatives to launch legal reforms to consolidate the democratic process in the country”, he said.

He said the PACE and the Venice Commission hope to continue the close cooperation with Armenia, and the final report on elections will be presented at a session in Strasbourg in January.

Early parliamentary elections were held in Armenia on December 9.

The Central Electoral Commission released the preliminary results:

-The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) received 4.7% or 59068 votes

-Citizen’s Decision Social-Democratic party received 0.68% or 8533 votes

-The ARF received 3.89% or 48822 votes

-My Step Alliance received 70.44% or 884849 votes

-Bright Armenia party got 6.37% or 80049 votes

-Christian-Democratic Rebirth party received 0.51% or 6460 votes

-National Progress party received 0.33% or 4122 votes

-We alliance – 2% or 25174 votes

-Rule of Law party – 0.99% or 12390 votes

-Sasna Tsrer Pan-Armenian party – 1.82% or 22868 votes

-Prosperous Armenia party – 8.27% or 103837 votes

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Բակո Սահակյանը շնորհավորել է Նիկոլ Փաշինյանին համոզիչ հաղթանակի կապակցությամբ

  • 10.12.2018
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  • Հայաստան
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Արցախի Հանրապետության նախագահ Բակո Սահակյանը շնորհավորական ուղերձ է հղել Հայաստանի Հանրապետության վարչապետի պաշտոնակատար Նիկոլ Փաշինյանին:


«Մեծարգո՛ պարոն Փաշինյան,
Արցախի Հանրապետության ժողովրդի, իշխանությունների եւ անձամբ իմ անունից շնորհավորում եմ Ձեզ՝ Հայաստանի Հանրապետության Ազգային ժողովի արտահերթ ընտրություններում Ձեր ղեկավարած դաշինքի տարած համոզիչ հաղթանակի կապակցությամբ:

Հուսով եմ, որ նոր Ազգային ժողովն ու կառավարությունն ըստ ամենայնի կնպաստեն Հայաստանի Հանրապետության զարգացմանն ու զորացմանը, Հայաստան-Արցախ-Սփյուռք կուռ եռամիասնության պահպանմանը, համազգային ծրագրերի իրականացմանը:

Մեր պետականության ու ժողովրդի առջեւ ծառացած խնդիրների լուծումը, պաշտպանունակության եւ անվտանգության համակարգի հետագա ամրապնդումը, սոցիալ-տնտեսական առաջընթացի ապահովումը, բնակչության կենսամակարդակի բարձրացումն այն հիմնական ուղենիշներն են, որոնք պետք է լինեն երկու հայկական հանրապետությունների եւ դրանց քաղաքական ղեկավարության գործունեության հիմքում:

Մաղթում եմ Ձեզ, Հայաստանի Հանրապետության մեր բոլոր քույրերին ու եղբայրներին խաղաղություն, քաջառողջություն, հաջողություններ ու հաղթանակներ՝ ի փառս մեր Հայրենիքի ու ժողովրդի»:

Unfortunately we utter words “never again” too often – Zohrab Mnatsakanyan

Unfortunately we utter words “never again” too often – Zohrab Mnatsakanyan

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19:54,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. Acting Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan delivered opening remarks at the session of the Third Global Forum Against Crime of Genocide.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan particularly said,

“Your Excellency President of Armenia, Mr. Armen Sarkissian,

Your grace Archbishop Natan Hovhannisyan,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

Many warm welcome to Armenia, 
Many warm welcome to the first morning post-election Armenia.

Welcome to the Third Global Forum. Welcome to Matenadaran, the institute and museum of ancient manuscripts, a monument of knowledge, idea, creation and education, a legacy of Armenia’s centuries-old contribution to world civilization and the bastion against the darker side of the human nature, against discrimination and hatred and intolerance – the very root causes of what we are gathered together to elaborate the ways to prevent.

Welcome also to Armenia at a time when the international community commemorates the 70th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. 72 years ago the UN adopted a landmark resolution 96/1, which was tabled by, at a time, India Cuba and Panama and which endorsed the term “genocide” and which opened the way for the subsequent adoption two years later, on 9th december in 1948, of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. It was obviously a day of triumph for one particular man, Raphael Lemkin, who dedicated his entire life to addressing this crime, which rattles the conscience of humanity – the crime of genocide.

Also welcome to Armenia on a day when the international community commemorates the 70th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights which is exactly today. Again 70 years ago in 1948 great panel of experts have gathered to draft an important document, which became a foundation of what in subsequent seventy years have been the construction of the machinery of human rights protection globally, internationally. And again a good day to recognize and celebrate the legacy of those experts under the leadership of Eleanor Roosevelt and such prominent lawyers as Charles Malick, William Hutchison, Fernand Santa Cruz, John Humphrey, René Cassagne, Peng Chun Chang, Alexander Bogdanov․

Over the seventy years UN has been quite successful in building considerable foundations, considerable pillars to bring nations together to work against discrimination, against violations of human rights for the protection of human dignity and human rights. It took two world wars to recognize the devastation of human distraction, the distraction of human identity.

In seventy years we have both solid body of law and practical machinery of addressing collectively the issue of human rights. Twenty years ago Armenia initiated a process to take a level up the international cooperation, international effort to strengthen the concept of prevention against atrocities. At the time of the 50th anniversary of the Convention, Armenia tabled a resolution to remind the international community that there is such document, which is  still as relevant as ever and which requires recognition, effort, implementation, especially at the national level, the primary level of protection and promotion of human rights. Subsequently we have developed further the international soft law on prevention.

We have celebrated and supported the effort of UN Secretary General at a time in 2004 to create a special body within the United Nations. His ambitions were a bit higher but the members of the UN have lowered those ambitions unfortunately. We have what has been created as the Office of Special Adviser of the Secretary General for the Prevention of Genocide. I think we within the UN have created quite sound foundations of raising awareness of the risks of genocide in the international community and consolidating international efforts against this crime. And I particularly want to thank Mr. Adama Dieng for all his strong efforts in promoting this agenda.

In 2015 the UN adopted a resolution in the General Assembly to pronounce the 9th december as the international day of the commemoration and dignity of the victims of genocide and for the prevention of this crime. Since 2005 until 2018 we have been promoting the method of prevention against the crime of genocide and it’s an ongoing effort.

In 2015 Armenia made another contribution to this collective effort by way of establishing this very global forum. And I am so profoundly grateful to all of you for gathering today here in Armenia – a group of prominent scholars, prominent representatives of the academia, of the professionals of law, practitioners, to elaborate the method of prevention with a special focus on education.

Seventy years on, with the seventieth anniversary of the Convention we have been uttering the words “never again” unfortunately too often. The crime of genocide has not disappeared from the international agenda. The risks of Genocide have not disappeared from the international agenda. We live in a turbulent world, we live in a world of rising radicalism, populism, discrimination, intolerance. We live in a dangerous world where human rights are pushed in the backseat and this is very dangerous.

We know that in the era of rising social media and the proliferation of ideas – unfortunately it is a channel of all ideas including those who cultivate intolerance, discrimination, glorification of hatred – that is a challenge. Challenge at the national, regional, international level. This is the idea of the Third Global Forum today.

I am very keen to see an outcome, a generation of ideas and thoughts about the ways in which we can benefit from these discussions over the next two days, and take it up a level and bring in to the agenda within the UN, at regional level and at national levels, so that we can contribute in further institutional strengthening of our capacity to resist genocidal tendencies which cultivate the risks of mass atrocities.

Once again I welcome you very much to this Third Global Forum․ I look forward for the fruitful discussion and practical outcomes of this conference.

Thank you”.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan




| 10:13 | December 11 2018 Category Society U.S. congratulates Armenia on general election, looks forward to work with new parliament, government Print | Views: 23 Share U.S. congratulates Armenia on general election, looks forward to work with new parliament, government This year has been a time of remarkable change in Armenia, the U.S. State Department said in a press release on the early elections of parliament that were held on December 9. “The United States congratulates the people of Armenia on the conduct of their December 9 parliamentary elections. We welcome the assessment by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights that Armenia’s parliamentary elections were competitive and that candidates were able to campaign freely. The United States concurs with the OSCE’s preliminary conclusions that the elections process enjoyed broad public trust and respected fundamental freedoms. We encourage t

Category
Society

This year has been a time of remarkable change in Armenia, the U.S. State Department said in a press release on the early elections of parliament that were held on December 9.

“The United States congratulates the people of Armenia on the conduct of their December 9 parliamentary elections. We welcome the assessment by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights that Armenia’s parliamentary elections were competitive and that candidates were able to campaign freely. The United States concurs with the OSCE’s preliminary conclusions that the elections process enjoyed broad public trust and respected fundamental freedoms. We encourage the authorities to address OSCE and Venice Commission recommendations for future elections.

This year has been a time of remarkable change in Armenia. For 27 years, the United States has sought to support the development of democratic processes and institutions in Armenia, and we will continue to do so. We look forward to working with the new Armenian Parliament and Government to deepen our bilateral partnership and cooperation to strengthen the rule of law and democratic institutions, combat corruption, promote trade and investment, and safeguard regional and global security”, deputy spokesperson of the Department of State Robert J. Palladino said in the press release.

Caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s My Step Alliance won a landslide victory in the general election with 70,43 %.

Two other parties, Prosperous Armenia (BHK) and Luminous Armenia (LHK), were also elected to parliament with 8,27% and 6,37% votes respectively.

The former ruling party, the Republican Party (HHK), failed to garner the minimum required votes to pass to parliament.

“Committed to our values and principles” – Lusavor Hayastan Party on being next opposition

“Committed to our values and principles” – Lusavor Hayastan Party on being next opposition

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14:56,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. Lusavor Hayastan (Luminous Armenia) Party has released a statement about the general election.

“The historic elections that took place in Armenia were the logical continuation of the country’s revolution, the main process of the capitalization of its values,” the party said.

“Lusavor Hayastan Party values the reality of organizing lawful elections, thanking the citizens that gave vote of confidence to our party. We consider this the public appreciation for our active three-year activity, proof that the Armenian society has an unconditional demand to build a truly liberal and European model state.

At the same time, the revolution ends with the December 9 elections and the country enters a phase of systematic and institutional reforms, where the parliament requires a counterbalance force having conceptual approaches.

The party said it is a civilizational and value-related opposition to the developed political majority.

“At the same time, we are concerned that even after the revolution major businesses and politics continue being a consequence of a chronically ill political system, the struggle against which will be one of the main priorities of our force”.

“We are committed to the values and principles adopted by Lusavor Armenia Party that are aimed at fulfilling systemic reforms and broad public consolidation around these values,” it added.

 

The Central Electoral Commission of Armenia has released the preliminary results from all 2010 polling stations in the country of the general election vote.

According to the CEC, caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s My Step Alliance has won a landslide victory with 70,43 % – with 884,456 votes.

The Republican Party of Armenia garnered only 4,70% – 59,059 votes.

Citizens Decision Social-Democratic Party received 0,68%, with 8530 votes.

Bargavatch Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia) Party received 8,27%, with 103,824 votes.

The ARF, or the Dashnaktsutyun, garnered 3,89% with 48,811 votes.

Lusavor Hayastan (Luminous Armenia) Party got 6,37% – 80,024 votes.

2619 voters (0,50%) cast ballots for the Christian-People’s Rebirth Party.

The National Progress Party and the Menk (We) Alliance garnered 0,51% (6456 votes) and 2,00% (25,174) respectively.

Orinats Yerkir Party (Rule of Law) garnered 0,99% with 12,389 votes, and the Sasna Tsrer Pan-Armenian Party got 1,82% with 22,862 votes.

According to preliminary information the turnout was 48.63%.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Links to reports on the latest Parliament elections in Armenia

Armenian News note:
The following is a compilation of links to reports on the latest Parliament elections in Armenia:
 
 
Armenia election: PM Nikol Pashinyan wins by landslide
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46502681
 
Acting Armenian PM's bloc wins parliamentary vote: commission
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-election/acting-armenian-pms-bloc-wins-parliamentary-vote-commission-idUSKBN1O80TK
 
Armenian PM's bloc wins majority in parliamentary vote
https://www.richmond-news.com/armenian-pm-s-bloc-wins-majority-in-parliamentary-vote-1.23525349
 
Armenian voters deliver landslide victory to revolutionary leaders
https://eurasianet.org/armenian-voters-deliver-landslide-victory-to-revolutionary-leaders
 
Armenian PM's bloc wins majority in parliamentary vote
https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/news/world/armenian-pms-bloc-seen-winning-parliamentary-vote-266907/
 
Armenian prime minister’s party winning vote, early returns show
https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/armenian-prime-ministers-party-winning-vote-early-returns-show-891032.html
 
Nikol Pashinyan wins Armenia election by landslide in 'revolutionary' vote
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/12/10/nikol-pashinyan-wins-armenia-election-landslide-revolutionary/
 
Armenian PM wins snap vote by landslide
https://www.thesundaily.my/world/armenian-pm-wins-snap-vote-by-landslide-FD243623
 
‘Velvet revolutionary’ Pashinian clear victor in Armenia’s general election
http://www.intellinews.com/velvet-revolutionary-pashinian-clear-victor-in-armenia-s-general-election-153388/
 
Armenia’s prime minister wins sweeping majority in election
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/armenia-s-prime-minister-wins-sweeping-majority-in-election-1.3726044
 
Armenian Reformist Leader Wins by Landslide in Early Parliamentary Elections
https://www.voanews.com/a/Armenian-elections/4693842.html
 
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian's bloc is winning vote in Armenia, early returns show
http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-armenia-election-results-20181209-story.html
 
Armenia election: reformist PM Nikol Pashinian wins convincing victory
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/10/armenia-election-reformist-pm-nikol-pashinian-wins-convincing-victory
 
Armenia polls: PM Nikol Pashinyan's bloc wins by landslide
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/armenia-polls-pm-nikol-pashinyan-bloc-wins-landslide-181210050824095.html
 
Election landslide in Armenia as revolution comes full-circle
https://www.euractiv.com/section/armenia/news/election-landslide-in-armenia-as-revolution-comes-full-circle/
 
Pashinyan's Alliance Wins Snap Parliamenary Election in Armenia
https://sputniknews.com/world/201812101070542634-armenia-pashinyan-alliance-parliamentary-election/
 
Pashinyan’s bloc gets majority of votes in Armenian parliament
http://tass.com/world/1035196
 
Armenian citizens vote for "revolutionary majority", says acting PM
http://tass.com/world/1035192
 
Armenia premier's bloc winning vote, early returns show
http://www.wtvm.com/2018/12/09/armenians-cast-ballots-early-parliamentary-election/
 
 Armenia premier's bloc winning vote, early returns show
https://www.cleveland19.com/2018/12/09/armenians-cast-ballots-early-parliamentary-election/
 
Armenia election: Reformist Nikol Pashinyan hails sweeping victory
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/reformist-poised-for-poll-victory-in-armenia-bhlv885wn
 
Parliamentary election in Armenia respected fundamental freedoms: OSCE
https://www.streetinsider.com/Reuters/Parliamentary+election+in+Armenia+respected+fundamental+freedoms%3A+OSCE/14904699.html
 
 Armenia election 2018: PM Nikol Pashinyan's bloc wins by landslide in snap parliamentary polls
 https://www.timesnownews.com/international/article/armenia-election-2018-pm-nikol-pashinyans-bloc-wins-by-landslide-in-snap-parliamentary-polls/328742
 
Acting Armenian PM's bloc wins parliamentary vote – commission
https://www.firstpost.com/world/acting-armenian-pms-bloc-wins-parliamentary-vote-commission-5706151.html
 
Armenia premier's bloc winning vote, early returns show
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Alexander Krilov: The period of diarchy ended in Armenia

Arminfo, Armenia
Dec 10 2018
Ani Mshetsyan

ArmInfo. Of course, the results  of the parliamentary elections held in Armenia were predictable. The  President of the Scientific Society of Caucasus Studies declared this  on December 10 at a press conference, an expert of the Institute for  World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of  Sciences named after E.M. Primakov Alexander Krilov.

He noted that according to preliminary experts' forecasts, it was  expected that Pashinyan's bloc would get 70% of the votes, the second  would be Gagik Tsarukyan's party, and mostly there were disagreements  about who would take 3rd and 4th places. "It was of course unexpected  that representatives of the Republican Party of Armenia and Sasna  Tsrer did not go to the parliament. As we see, the country has a  tendency to change the political elite, new parties and young  politicians have appeared", the expert noted.

As for the turnout, Krilov said that she was not so low. "There was a  lot of talk about the low turnout indicating Pashinyan's low support,  but as we can see, this isn't so.

The expert said that now the main agenda will not be internal  political contradictions, but reforms in the socio-economic field.  "Anyway, the period of dual power has ended in Armenia. Now  representatives of both legislative and executive authorities are  members of the same political force. Today, the main issue is not the  obtaining, but the realization of power. This is a much more  complicated issue. Of course, there will be a personnel revolution in  the country, and reforms will be carried out in the socio-economic  field", concluded Krilov.

In turn, Andrey Areshev, a senior researcher at the Center for the  Study of the Caucasus at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the  Russian Academy of Sciences, said that Armenia faces a number of  foreign policy challenges, and, according to the expert, economic  reforms will also be needed in the country. "Among the foreign policy  challenges there is not only the Karabakh issue, but the strength of  Armenia's relations with Iran will be tested," Areshev said.

Areshev, as well as Krilov, considered that earlier turnout data were  overstated, and the current figures are not so bad.