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: OCTOBER 11-17, 2006

NKR President denied rumors   

President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Arkady Ghukasyan stated on October 11 in Stepanakert that “I had and I have no intention to run for the third term.”

“Even if the future Constitution provides me with such a right, it does not mean that I will use this opportunity. For me, norms of morality are as important as rule of law. As a human and as a president I have done all I could to make the process of democratization of our society irreversible. It was not always secure. But was it worth risking so much to jeopardize the values to which our people are committed, to cast a shadow on the NKR’s image?” Arkady Ghukasyan stated.

Arkady Ghukasyan

 

“For me, the power has never been an end in itself. If I wanted to continue holding the office of the president, theoretically, I could have chosen a shorter and easier way by changing the corresponding law at the parliament. By the way, many MPs have repeatedly applied to me with this idea. However, I have always opposed, as such an approach radically contradicts my principles. Let no one doubt the irreversibility of the democratic process in the NKR. This is also why we need a Constitution to even theoretically exclude the possibility of such situations,” Ghukasyan said.

Information Centre on NATO

On October 11 Information Centre on NATO started functioning in Yerevan.

The Special Representative of NATO General Secretary in the Central Asia and South Caucasus Robert Simmons and the Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Arman Kirakossian launched the Centre.

Photo: Mediamax

In his speech Robert Simmons noted that “the opening of the Center is a good example and testimony of deepening of relations between Armenia and NATO.”

Setting up the Information Centre on NATO was one of the Armenia’s commitments within the Individual Partnership Action Plan [IPAP] with the alliance, which came into force in December 2005.

•    10 YEARS AGO: OCTOBER 11-17, 2011

ANC toughens position

On October 14 head of the Armenian Pan-National Movement’s Board Aram Manukyan said that after the failure of dialogue with the authorities the opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC) has toughened its position.

Aram Manukyan said that unlike the demands on conducting snap elections which supposed the format of discussions with authorities, demand of resignation of President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan is a one-way process.

“We do not want to negotiate with the authorities, who during the 8-day rallies blockaded the Liberty Square and persecuted our activists. These authorities have declared open war to the people,” Manukyan said.

Vigen Sargsyan - Head of Armenian President’s Staff

On October 17 Vigen Sargsyan has been appointed Head of Armenian President’s Staff.

Photo: Mediamax

On 27 January 2009, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree on appointing Vigen Sargsyan Deputy Head of the President’s staff.

•    5 YEARS AGO: OCTOBER 11-17, 2016

Kremlin “isn’t optimistic”

On October 13 Russian President’s aide Yuri Ushakov stated today that Moscow “doesn’t feel very optimistic” about the NK issue settlement taking place in near future.

Yuri Ushakov and Vladimir Putin

Photo: REUTERS

“I wouldn’t say that we’re very optimistic about the settlement of this issue taking place in near future. But we will continue persistent work with Baku and Yerevan,” Ushakov said.

“Progress in Karabakh conflict settlement – key to Armenian-Turkish relations”

On October 14 Russia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov stated in Yerevan that Turkey may play a positive role in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Sergey Lavrov

 

“Turkey may play a positive role, ensuring the unblocking of Nagorno Karabakh, ensuring normal economic interaction in the region – it is a very important factor which we always consider. If Armenia and Turkey return to the implementation of their arrangements without any connection to Karabakh conflict, we will be only pleased. But we feel that the progress in the Karabakh conflict settlement will be a key to normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations,” Lavrov said.

Ara Tadevosyan