Today we live in a society, which cannot 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 the developments that happened in Armenia 5, 10 and 15 years ago.
• 10 YEARS AGO: AUGUST 2-8, 2011
“The society should be knowledge-based”
On August 4 Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said that not only the economy but also the society should be knowledge-based.
“It is a common ideology on which our management programs are based. In the 21st century, education should become a priority for us and it should comply with the highest international criteria. Our goal is to bring 5 of our universities in line with the best international standards so as they could pass international certification. Two universities, the American and French Universities of Armenia, have already passed the certification. But we need 3 more universities to follow this path,” said the Prime Minister.
• 5 YEARS AGO: AUGUST 2-8, 2016
“Ready to sacrifice my life”
On August 1 President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan stated that “there will be no unilateral concessions in the resolution of the NK conflict.” President made this statement, at the meeting with cultural, public and political figures, as well
Serzh Sargsyan on August 1, 2016Photo: Armenian President’s press office
“It is out of question. Nagorno-Karabakh will never be part of Azerbaijan. Never. I repeat once again: it is out of question. I have given my entire adult life to this. To get to the solution acceptable for my nation, I have always been ready to sacrifice any position, and also my life,” Sargsyan said.
“Russia will not impose solutions”
On August 5 Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia would not impose on Armenia and Azerbaijan “any ready-made recipes” for the settlement of Karabakh conflict and was ready to support any option of the settlement, proposed by the parties to the conflict.
“I want to emphasize that we are not trying to force Azerbaijan and Armenia any ready-made solutions at all. Parties should agree themselves, without outside pressure and find mutually acceptable solutions. This is our firm position,” Putin told AZERTAC ahead of the visit to Baku.
Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev in Baku, August 2016Photo: REUTERS
He stressed that the compromise “involves finding the optimal balance between the principles of territorial integrity and the right of peoples for self-determination.” Putin noted that Moscow was fully aware of the responsibility of the leadership of Azerbaijan and Armenia.
“The ultimate goal of the settlement should be an agreement in which none of the parties wins or loses, concessions should be mutual and the benefits of it should be clear both for Azerbaijani and Armenian public. In its turn, Russia is ready to support the solution to the problem that will satisfy all the parties involved and to act together with other mediators of the settlement,” said Putin.
He recalled that Russia was connected to Azerbaijan and Armenia by deep historical roots, strategic nature of relations, and geographical proximity.
“Therefore, we are sincerely interested in peace and tranquility in the neighboring region, stopping people from being killed, opening borders and resuming economic connections. We are doing everything we can for it,” said Putin.
The plan to create a government “of national accord”
On August 1, speaking of the resolution of the two-week standoff with the armed group which seized Erebuni Police Station, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said:
“The unacceptable situation has come to an end; however its full resolution lies ahead. First of all there needs to be made a thorough investigation, a comprehensive and unbiased examination, and an open trial. Every single person must answer for his actions only and only before the law. There will be no other options; any attempt of personal vengeance will be stopped by the law. All processes unfolding in the Republic of Armenia will take place exclusively in the framework of the Constitution and laws.
Serzh Sargsyan on August 1, 2016Photo: Armenian President’s press office
The time has come to draw conclusions. A full analysis of these events will take a long time. However one thing is clear: the process of the radical changes in Armenia’s social and political life must be expedited. First of all, the very existence of the disastrous tendency to solve problems through violence must be eradicated. We have no right to tolerate even an intention of solving problems by force; the next one can be disastrous for our state.”
“Anyone can dislike the authorities, or the government, or the President, can be categorically against our policies. However, dislike cannot be a reason for glorifying those who attempt to solve problems with arms. Authorities come and go; encouragement of terrorism will remain as cancer and will spread; it will ruin everything our nation has created. It is dreadful, it must be fully eradicated,” Sargsyan stressed.
Photo: Armenian President’s press office
“Yes, it is true that the Armenian authorities are not perfect. Yes, it is true that there are many problems and complex issues in Armenia. Our goal is to give them a speedy resolution. At this stage our goal is also to form the authorities of national accord, in which issues will be solved under a wide consensus. The constitutional reforms are aimed at exactly that; the reforms have given a base for the formation of such authorities. I state with confidence that only months later we will have a government of that kind, authorities of that kind,” the President said.
Prosecutor General resigns
Armenia’s Prosecutor General Gevorg Kostanyan resigned on August 4.
Gevorg Kostanyan Photo: Photolure
His advisor Christine Melkonyan stated that Gevorg Kostanyan had resigned due to health issues.
Gevorg Kostanyan was appointed the Prosecutor General on October 1, 2013.
The dismissal of the Chief of Yerevan Police
On August 8 Chief of Yerevan Police Ashot Karapetyan was relieved of his duties by the order of Chief of Police of Armenia Vladimir Gasparyan.
Ashot KarapetyanPhoto: Photolure
An internal investigation resulted in disciplinary action against a number of police officers, including Karapetyan.
He received a severe reprimand concerning the actions of the police at Khorenatsi St on July 19 and in Sari Tagh neighborhood on July 29-30. In particular, the reprimand noted “the failure to correctly distribute the police forces for maintaining public order and ensuring public safety, the failure to undertake actions corresponding to the situation and prevent access to the restricted area for rally participants timely, as well as the failure to prevent use of violence against citizens and destruction of journalists’ equipment.”
Ara Tadevosyan
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