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: SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2005

Afeyan’s prediction

On September 20 All Armenian Conference on “Productivity and Competitiveness: Strategies for Sustaining the Economic transformation of Armenia” opened in Yerevan upon the initiative of “Armenia-2020” project.

Addressing the conference, Member of “Armenia-2020” Board, Managing Partner of Flagship Ventures Noubar Afeyan stated that the project had existed for 3 years and 4 scenarios of Armenia’s development had been elaborated during this period. Noubar Afeyan pointed out that according to research, economic progress had been marked in Armenia over last several years, but “we will witness sharp decrease” unless necessary measures were taken.

Noubar Afeyan noted that “if we work hard, then Armenia may reach Lithuania’s level by 2020 by GPD growth. According to him, the so-called All Armenian network was to be created for Armenia’s effective development, which would allow “to use the influence of Armenians all over the world.” Noubar Afeyan stressed that it was impossible to reach desired goals without the strategy of the second phase of sustaining Armenia’s economic development.

•    10 YEARS AGO: SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2010

The Russian base and the relations with NATO

On September 15 NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, Ambassador Robert Simmons stated in Yerevan that prolongation of the term of Russian military base’s deployment would have no effect on the relations of the Alliance with Armenia.

Robert Simmons said that he had held meetings with the President, Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs of Armenia and “the leadership of Armenia clearly stated its intention to continue developing relations with NATO”.

Robert Simmons and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan

Photo: Armenian President's press service

Robert Simmons urged not to take Armenia’s relations with NATO and with Russia as a zero-sum game.

“We know that Armenia is a member of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and has military-political relations with Russia. One of the components of Armenia’s membership in CSTO is the presence of a Russian military base in Armenia and NATO has never criticized this fact,” he said.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer

Photo: NATO

In an interview published in “Profile” magazine in Kiev on September 16, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan stated that he made the decision on prolonging the terms of the Russian base’s deployment on the territory of Armenia “with pleasure”.

“You have probably heard many times that not a single country, even the most powerful, the largest one, and especially the small Armenia, is capable of providing for its security alone. With Russia, we are allies, strategic partners, and not only on bilateral basis, but also within the framework of CSTO. We live in a region, where there are many threats and dangers. Some countries in individual cases even doubt the right of Armenians to live on their historic land. For historic and modern reasons, the likelihood of armed conflicts in our region is high.

Russian servicemen in Armenia

Photo: MoD of Russia

The interest of the Russian side is the opportunity to plan the development of its Armed Forces, its strategic interests for the long term. Our interest is the help and support in security. This is a serious factor for non-resumption, prevention of hostilities; a good opportunity to equip our army according to modern standards. This is why I believe that this prolongation is based on our national interests,” said Sargsyan.

•    5 YEARS AGO: SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2015

Baku is exacerbating the situation in the region

On September 15 Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan stated that Azerbaijan’s attempts to exacerbate the situation in South Caucasus were fraught with destabilization of the whole region’s situation, given the lack of relevant response from the international community.

“I have informed the heads of CSTO member states about the situation in South Caucasus calling their attention to considerable escalation along the Azerbaijan-Armenia border and Karabakh-Azerbaijan contact line,” Sargsyan said at the expanded session of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

Ara Tadevosyan