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: JUNE 15-21, 2005
An order for Miller
On June 16, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan conferred the order of St. Mesrop Mashtots to head of Russian Gazprom Company, Aleksey Miller “for the significant contribution to the reinforcement and development of Armenian-Russian economic ties” in Yerevan.
Robert Kocharyan and Aleksey Miller on June 16, 2005Photo: Photolure
Just six months after the ceremony, the relationship between Kocharyan and Miller soured.
This is what Kocharyan writes about it in the book “Life and Freedom”:
“In December 2005, at the meeting with Putin in Sochi, the gas price became the main topic. Gazprom head Miller refused to acknowledge our agreements, citing the lack of any contracts. It really angered me because we the discussion about the gas price took place in my office then, and I was present and I remembered the meeting very well. The conversation quickly grew into a confrontation, which promised nothing good. The sides each insisted on their version of the story, the tension was growing, the time was passing… I did not hide I was annoyed and became obviously too harsh. The staff started serving the dinner. Food was the last thing on my mind: I was boiling with indignation! An increase of gas price would affect the pace of economic development and it was important for me to prevent that. When they brought the appetizers, I did not touch them; they brought some soup, I did not eat it; the same happened with the main dish and the dessert. The delegations were sitting opposite to each other, and I could see that the other members of my delegation did not eat either – all six people. The confused waiters, who could not understand what was happening, just took the untouched dishes from our side of the table. The conversation went on in an extremely awkward, tense situation: one of the sides, the invitees, did not eat any of the dishes during the dinner.”
• 10 YEARS AGO: JUNE 15-21, 2010
“An important stage”
On June 17, the Presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia gathered in St. Petersburg for a trilateral meeting.
Following the meeting, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian noted that “the meetings with President Medvedev’s participation provide for the opportunity to bring the stances of the sides closer”.
Serzh Sargsyan and Dmitry Medvedev in 2010Photo: REUTERS
“The sides may clarify approaches on the issues, around which there is no agreement reached, and this allows continuing negotiations and moving on. The trilateral meeting took place in constructive atmosphere; the sides registered what they have managed to reach as of today and agreed upon continuing negotiations exactly basing on that. I think the meeting has been useful. It became an important stage in the negotiation process on Karabakh conflict settlement,” said Nalbandian.
• 5 YEARS AGO: JUNE 15-21, 2015
“Kirk Kirkorian became a legend in his lifetime”
On June 16, famous Armenian-American businessman and philanthropist, National Hero of Armenia Kirk Kirkorian passed away at the age of 98.
“As an entrepreneur and a businessman he had become a legend during his lifetime and used to enjoy international fame. He had become an example of a surviving Armenian and a model of an assiduous, wise, kind and modest person,” Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan stated in the letter of condolences.
Kirk Kirkorian Photo: REUTERS
The second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan sent his condolences as well.
“I warmly recall my meetings with Kirk. He was a person of high human qualities and inborn wisdom, a broad-minded and an interesting interlocutor. The memory of Kirk Kirkorian, a true patriot, will live forever in the hearts of all Armenians,” he said.
Ara Tadevosyan
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