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: MARCH 30 -APRIL 5, 2005

In support of two Armenian states

On March 30 Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sargsyan said today he supported fr the existence of two Armenian states: Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Speaking at the parliamentary hearings dedicated to the discussion of ways of the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Sargsyan said that he supported for the model of a “united Armenian nation, two Armenian states”.

Defense Minister described as “strategically beneficial” the issue of the “parallel membership of two fraternal states - Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, in international organizations and their active cooperation”.

“A special case”

On the same day OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel stated in Yerevan that “the Nagorno-Karabakh problem is a special case and this conflict cannot be compared to other frozen conflicts.”

Dimitrij Rupel and Vartan Oskanyan in Yerevan on March 30, 2005

Photo: Photolure

Rupel made that remark while commenting on his address at the UN Security Council in New York on March 4, during which he described Nagorno-Karabakh as a “disputed territory.”

Kirkorov becomes persona non grata

On March 31 Yerevan Vice Mayor Arman Sahakian announced that the concert of Russian pop singer Phillip Kirkorov, planned for April 7 in Yerevan, would not take place.

Arman Sahakian clarified that the decision on canceling Kirkorov’s concert was made at the request of students’ councils of all state universities of Armenia.

The representatives of Armenia’s youth grounded their demands by saying that “Kirkorov has open anti-Armenian, moreover, pro-Turkish position, and he has recently insulted Armenian reporter and scorned her origin”.

Meanwhile, ITAR-TASS agency reported that Philip Kirkorov himself decided to cancel his concert in Armenia.

Phillip Kirkorov in 2005

Photo: REUTERS

“I didn’t even imagine I am such a vital person for Armenia. I thought I’d come to Yerevan and entertain o people but it turned out quite different - I am not allowed to arrive in Armenia, especially on the eve of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. I might be even charged if something terrible happens. I have decided not to heat the passions and provoke scandals. I am keeping myself out of harm's way. I am not coming to Yerevan,” he said.

•    5 YEARS AGO: MARCH 30 -APRIL 5, 2015

Cyprus criminalizes denial of the Armenian Genocide

On April 2 the parliament of Cyprus adopted the law criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide.

Thus Cyprus became the 4th European state (after Greece, Slovakia and Switzerland) to criminalize the denial of the Armenian Genocide.

“It is a symbolic event ahead of the Centennial of the genocide,” said Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

The Republic of Cyprus officially recognized the Armenian Genocide in 1975.

ArmNet Awards Grand Prix

On April 4 Mediamax media company’s Mediamax.am website was awarded ArmNet Awards 2015 Grand Prix. Mediamax.am also won ArmNet’s “Best Content” nomination.

Photo: Mediamax

“It’s always pleasant to get awards and understand that the work done by the team is appreciated. What is more valuable is that the jury has assessed the quality journalism we are engaged in. Despite all the pessimistic predictions, quality content in Armenia has future. As they say, “Content is King”,” said Mediamax Director Ara Tadevosyan, collecting the prizes.

Ara Tadevosyan