5/10/15: Yerevan’s new mayor, Ashton’s visit, "worst scenario”
Today we live in a society, which can not imagine life without expressing views on social media. Probably it does have certain advantages. Nevertheless, many participants of active discussions have already forgotten or do not even know about the developments, which unfolded in Armenia 5, 10 or 15 years ago.
To fill the gap Mediamax presents 5/10/15 project, which introduce developments in Armenia 5, 10 and 15 years ago.
• 15 YEARS AGO: NOVEMBER 15-21, 2006
“Ambitious document”
The Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated on November 16 in Berlin that the Armenian Action Plan within the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy is an “ambitious document” and “our new road-map for continuation of the reforms”.
Speaking in the Bertelsmann Foundation, Robert Kocharian voiced an opinion that the Action Plan will also provide opportunity for stirring up the relations of Armenia with the EU member-states on bilateral level.
Robert Kocharian also stated that the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) of Armenia with the NATO is “the basis for long-term institutional cooperation”
Again proposed to Turkey
Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated on November 16 that the proposal of the Armenian side on setting up an Armenian-Turkish intergovernmental commission for discussing all the disputable issues is still valid.
Armenian President recalled that he had proposed to set up an intergovernmental commission in spring 2005, answering the message of the Turkish Prime Minister with the proposal to set up a joint commission of historians. According to Robert Kocharian, historians cannot be responsible for the bilateral relations, but the governments are. “However, there can be subgroups in the intergovernmental commission, in one of which historians from the two countries can carry out their work”, the Armenian President stated.
• 10 YEARS AGO: NOVEMBER 15-21, 2011
Taron Margaryan – new mayor of Yerevan
On November 15 members of the Yerevan Council of Elders unanimously elected Taron Margaryan as the new mayor of the capital.
The inauguration ceremony of the new mayor of Yerevan, Taron Margaryan, took place on November 18.
Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan congratulated Taron Margaryan, wishing him success and consistency as well as expressed gratitude to his predecessor Karen Karapetyan who “has left a visible trace in the history of the city during his short tenure as Mayor.”
Catherine Ashton's visit
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan received on November 16 EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton in Yerevan.
The Armenian President noted that Armenia attaches special importance to strengthening and deepening relations with EU. “Our goal is very clear and we have stated many times that we see Armenia’s future as that of a prosperous country build on European values and we will strive toward this path,” said the President.
At the meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan Catherine Ashton said the new stage of talks between Armenia and the European Union on signing an agreement on the creation of a free trade area will start soon.
“We are ready to help Armenia provide economic progress, which can contribute to the signing of the agreement on a free trade area. The talks will enter a new stage soon,” Ashton said.
The Association Agreement between Armenia and the EU, part of which was the agreement on free trade zone, was not signed – Armenia joined the Eurasian Economic Union.
• 5 YEARS AGO: NOVEMBER 15-21, 2016
“The worst scenario”
On November 17 President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan stated, “we don’t want an eternal war, but if Baku leadership wants to try their fate again, they should prepare for the worst scenario”.
“Because then they will have no one to blame for losing cities and regions. Baku should realize they cannot resolve the issue by force,” Serzh Sargsyan said, answering the question from Golos Armenii newspaper.
“Azerbaijani leadership’s policy created the complex of inferiority and defeat. So obviously, Azerbaijani authorities use every reason, every situation to discard that complex, even through lies, misinformation and distortion of reality. They always claimed that Azerbaijan is stronger than Armenia, that they have modern weapons and oil dollars, which they can use at any moment and seize Nagorno-Karabakh. Having faced the opposite reality during the April war and failed Azerbaijani leadership now has to justify casualties and military-technical losses Azerbaijan suffered in the April war,” the President said.
Ara Tadevosyan