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: MARCH 28-APRIL 3, 2007

“Russia’s rough pragmatism raises perplexity”

In an interview published on March 29 in “Nezavisimaya Gazeta” newspaper, Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Vahan Hovhannissian stated that “Russia’s rough pragmatism raises perplexity in Armenia, where the Russian military base is deployed.”

“In the Armenian society, questions rise to which no answers have been received. For instance, the Russian energy policy is very pragmatic. We, of course, find flexible schemes for cooperation, but the capacity of finding such schemes is limited. Thus, Russia’s rough pragmatism raises perplexity in Armenia, where the Russian military base is deployed. In connection with this many oppositional groups enter the elections process with that question: does the presence of the Russian military base guarantee security for us? They put forward the issue of full re-orientation of the Armenian foreign policy. It does not yet influence the state policy, but the moods should be taken into account,” the vice speaker stated.

Attempt against the mayor of Gyumri

On April 2, at about 22:30 an attempt was committed against the Mayor of Gyumri Vartan Ghukasian on the Ashtarak section of the Yerevan-Gyumri highway.

The mayor of the city received gunshot wounds. Three people died – the two bodyguards of the mayor and his driver.

The RPA Council’s decision

On April 2 the Council of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) made an unanimous decision to nominate the Chairman of the RPA Council, Defense Minister and the Secretary of the National Security Council under the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan for the position of the Prime Minister of Armenia.

“Unique unity” of the mediators

On April 3 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated in Yerevan that “the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, more than any other, applies for a status of a unique one”. According to Lavrov, “the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the only conflict, in which the interests of Russia, the USA and the European Union and the positions of the sides do not oppose.”

Sergey Lavrov in Yerevan on April 3, 2007

Photo: Photolure

“Within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group there are such comprehensive proposals that the participants of other conflicts could even envy. However, in any case, the final decision will be up to Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Sergey Lavrov in Yerevan on April 3, 2007

Photo: Photolure

The Co-chair states of the Minsk Group are very careful as to their status of mediators and do not consider themselves having the right to impose anything on the sides,” Sergey Lavrov stated. The Russian Foreign Minister expressed hope that the “unique unity” of the mediators will help the sides to reach agreement on a long-lasting and stable peace.

•    10 YEARS AGO: MARCH 28-APRIL 3, 2012

ANC intends to “call Serzh Sargsyan to criminal responsibility”

During March 30 rally, Levon Ter-Petrosyan outlined the basic provisions of the election program of the oppositional Armenian National Congress (ANC).

Levon Ter-Petrosyan on March 30, 2012

Photo: Photolure

First of all, the first Armenian President said that the ANC “intends to immediately raise the issue of Serzh Sargsyan's resignation and calling him to criminal responsibility.”

Levon Ter-Petrosyan said Serzh Sargsyan has “seized the post of the Armenian President with rough violations of the Electoral Code due to mass falsifications, violence and slaughter against peaceful demonstrators.”

“Mediators do their work honestly”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in Yerevan on April 2 that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs “do their work honestly.”

Sergey Lavrov noted that the mediators don’t deviate from basic principles formulated in Helsinki Final Act and UN Charter – non-use of force, territorial integrity and right of self-determination.

Sergey Lavrov and Edward Nalbandyan in Yerevan on April 2, 2012

Photo: Photolure

“The Co-Chairs’ position hasn’t changed and is confirmed in the statements of Presidents of OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs made within G8 summits over the past several years,” noted the Russian Foreign Minister.

•    5 YEARS AGO: MARCH 28-APRIL 3, 2017

Lukashenko “does not believe”

On March 28 President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko stated that he does not believe that “today people in Nagorno-Karabakh live well and with dignity.”

During the meeting with the outgoing Armenian Ambassador Armen Khachatryan Lukashenko stated:

“Nagorno-Karabakh is not our issue. We have nothing to do there. There are conflicting parties who must sort this out. But I have a position: people deserve to live with dignity. I do not believe that today people in Nagorno-Karabakh live well and with dignity. What dignity it is if every day you feel that something can happen and your life can end. Therefore, our position is unequivocal - Armenia and Azerbaijan, without any mediators, neither strong nor weak, should sit down at the table and solve the problem.”

Ter-Petrosyan considers return of territories “inevitable”

On March 29 First President of Armenia and the Leader of Armenian National Congress (ANC) Levon Ter-Petrosyan said that the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh issue had been “the core issue in Armenia” so far.

The first President of Armenia says that the return of territories, which provide “security belt” for NK, is inevitable, as it is required by the fundamental documents of UN and OSCE.

“So what we have to do? Maybe we better yield to UN and OSCE?  Even if you take Baku, you will still have to return territories sooner or later. If you are so tough, then why won’t you keep the territories? Just have some pity for this nation,” ANC leader said.

Levon Ter-Petrosyan also stated that “The real enemies and gravediggers of this nation are those who support the idea of “not an inch of land” principle”.

Levon Ter-Petrosyan rejected the arguments that he had some kind of secret agreements with the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).

The first president said that all his forecasts made during his resignation in 1998 came true and confirmed that Armenia cannot develop until the Karabakh conflict is settled.

“We back Serzh Sargsyan and his government in implementation of the Madrid principles and only at that exact point. We do have any other path to pass with the mentioned power. We could not imagine a coalition with RPA even the worst nightmares. Nevertheless, I will always back Serzh Sargsyan in implementing the settlement programs. I would do the same if the ARF or Communist Party of Armenia ruled, being committed to implementation of the peace process,” ANC leader said.

“Our team suggests creating a new vehicle”

On March 29 Minister of Defense of Armenia Vigen Sargsyan, the leading candidate in the list of Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), said that “they wished to change the engine, which was driving our economy.”

Vigen Sargsyan and Karen Karapetyan

Photo: PAN Photo

He described the promises of competitor parties about the rise of pensions and salaries as “dangerous for the future of the country’s economy.”

“Even if a miracle happens and all those means are found, I compare this kind of promises with the attempt of changing tires on an old, malfunctioned car. On the contrary, our team offers to create a new vehicle,” Vigen Sargsyan said.

Elections

Parliamentary elections were conducted in Armenia on April 2 as a result of which 4 political forces will be represented in the National Assembly of Armenia.

Nikol Pashinyan

Photo: Photolure

Republican Party of Armenia received 49,15% of votes, Tsarukyan alliance received 27,35%, ELQ - 7,78% and ARF-D – 6,58%.

Ara Tadevosyan