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: MAY 24-31, 2006
Artsakh and Montenegro
On May 25 President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Arkady Ghukasyan, said that “Nagorno-Karabakh has all grounds to expect that the international community will recognize its independence.”
“The recent referendum in Montenegro is a very important precedent. If the world community is ready to recognize Montenegro’s independence from Kosovo, I think it will be very difficult to explain why they do not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh,” said Ghukasyan.
OSCE Minsk Group co-chair states make a statement
On May 25 Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried and French Foreign Ministry’s Adviser Pierre Morel read out in Yerevan the joint statement of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair countries following their visit to Armenia.
The statement particularly read:
“We have come together in this joint diplomatic mission because of the need to promote the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and because now is the time for the sides to reach agreement on the basic principles of a settlement.
Grigory Karasin, Daniel Fried and Pierre Morel in Yerevan on May 25, 2006Photo: Photolure
We were received by President Kocharian and met earlier with Foreign Minister Oskanian. As we did yesterday in Baku, we have discussed important aspects of a future settlement. We have worked to create the conditions for a meeting of the two presidents in the near future. We have stressed the belief of our nations and, more likely, of the international community that the conflict can be resolved in no other way that a peaceful one. Both countries should, moreover, prepare their publics for peace and not for war.
Our discussions, both today in Yerevan and yesterday in Baku, were constructive. Tomorrow we will return to our capitals to brief our leaders. The Co-chairs will, as well, brief the OSCE and the international community.
A joint mission such as this one is a special event. It must be taken as a sign of the seriousness with which we approach the issue and, in particular, a belief that we are at the point where mutually beneficial agreement is achievable.
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan meets Karasin, Fried and Morel Photo: Photolure
What happens now will be up to Armenia and Azerbaijan.”
What 77% of polled Armenians considered “very important”
On May 30 Baltic Surveys/ The Gallup Organization published the results of the survey conducted on behalf of the International Republican Institute (IRI).
The poll showed that 77% of Armenian residents thought that the speedy resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was “very important”.
41% of respondents thought that Nagorno-Karabakh should be an ordinary region of Armenia, without any autonomy. 31% of those polled said Nagorno-Karabakh should be autonomous region of the Armenian state and 27% thought Nagorno-Karabakh should be an independent state.
Neither of the respondents backed the idea that Nagorno-Karabakh should be a part of Azerbaijan.
• 10 YEARS AGO: MAY 24-31, 2011
The statement in Deauville
On May 26 Presidents of Russia, the USA and France stated that “further delay [of NK settlement process] will put to question the adherence of the sides to reaching agreements.”
That view was expressed in the statement of the Leaders of OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair countries, approved within the framework of G8 Summit in Deauville.
Medvedev, Obama and Sarkozy urged the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan “to demonstrate political will and conclude the work over the Basic Principles during the upcoming Armenian-Azerbaijani Summit in June.”
“When the agreement is reached, we are ready to testify approval of these principles, render assistance in elaboration of the peaceful agreement and then support its fulfillment together with our international partners. We confirm that only settlement by means of negotiations can lead to peace, stability and reconciliation, opening opportunities for regional development and cooperation,” the statement read.
Obama, Medvedev and Sarkozy in DeauvillePhoto: REUTERS
Presidents of Russia, the USA and France stated that “repeated use of force will bring only new sufferings and will be condemned by the international community.”
“We insistently urge the leaders of the sides to prepare the population to peace, not to war,” Medvedev, Obama and Sarkozy said.
Commenting on that statement, Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian said:
“We highly appreciate the efforts taken by presidents Medvedev, Obama and Sarkozy aimed at the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The statement passed by the heads of states of OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs within G8 Summit in Deauville contains important messages and may become an incentive to conflict resolution. Armenia has always been committed to the peaceful settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh and has frequently reiterated it; in fact, this is why it’s clear whom this unequivocal urge addressed.”
The amnesty
On May 26 Armenian parliament approved President Serzh Sargsyan’s proposal on granting amnesty, devoted to the 20th anniversary of proclamation of independence.
Under the amnesty, Nikol Pashinyan and Sasun Mikaelyan, convicted under “March 1” case, were released.
Nikol Pashinyan on May 27, 2011Photo: Photolure
Deputy Spokesman of the U.S. Department of State Mark Toner said that the U.S. welcomed the prisoner amnesty was pleased to see the quick release of those detained in connection with the events of March 1, 2008.
OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Lithuanian FM Audronius Azubalis said that the decision would open a new chapter in dialogue with the opposition.
Sasun Mikayelian on May 27, 2011Photo: Photolure
Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, “warmly welcomed the general amnesty that was adopted by the parliament of Armenia on a proposal of President Sargsyan.”
• 5 YEARS AGO: MAY 24-31, 2016
The monument to Nzhdeh
On May 28 мая, a monument to Armenian military commander and politician Garegin Nzhdeh was unveiled in Yerevan downtown, in the small park at the “Republic Square” metro station.
Photo: Photolure
Serzh Sargsyan talks challenges to EAEU security
On May 31 Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan stated in Astana that security was the cornerstone of economic development and prosperity of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states.
“I consider it very important that the states that formed the Eurasian Economic Union are simultaneously members of the CSTO, which aims to ensure complete security on our territory. The escalation of situation at Azerbaijan’s borders with Armenia and at the Line of Contact, caused by Azerbaijan, became a serious challenge for security in the EAEU region.
Serzh Sargsyan on May 31, 2016Photo: Armenian President’s press service
The threat is evident - either our international partners view the Eurasian Economic Union zone as a place of economic development, stability and security, a zone where they can make investments and initiate long-term projects, or people get used to this complicated situation and consider the zone a permanent hotbed of tension and conflict,” said Sargsyan.
Ara Tadevosyan
Comments
Dear visitors, You can place your opinion on the material using your Facebook account. Please, be polite and follow our simple rules: you are not allowed to make off - topic comments, place advertisements, use abusive and filthy language. The editorial staff reserves the right to moderate and delete comments in case of breach of the rules.