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: FEBRUARY 15-21, 2006

“Great disappointment”

On February 15, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Rene van der Linden expressed his “great disappointment” at the lack of “breakthrough” in the latest round of the talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, held between presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Rene Van Der Linden

Photo: REUTERS

“I must once again reiterate that there will be no sustainable development or prosperity for the region and no future for its children without a peaceful settlement to this dispute,” said PACE President, urging all parties “to resume their discussions as soon as possible and with renewed determination.”

Semneby’s appointment

On February 21, the Council of the European Union approved the candidacy of Swedish diplomat Peter Semneby as new EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus.

Peter Semneby

 

Peter Semneby's mandate included assisting Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in carrying out political and economic reforms, notably in the fields of rule of law, democratization, human rights and poverty reduction.

•    10 YEARS AGO: FEBRUARY 15-21, 2011

The coalition’s declaration

On February 17, the parties to the political coalition – the Republican Party of Armenia, Prosperous Armenia party and “Orinats Yerkir” party signed the Declaration of the Political Coalition at the Armenian Presidential Palace.

Arther Baghdasaryan, Gagik Tsarukyan and Serzh Sargsyan in February 17, 2011

Photo: Photolure

In particular, the document read that “at the presidential elections [2013] the Political Coalition will come up with one single nomination in the person of the current President, creating thus guarantees of further continuance of the changes and sustainable development of our country for the next five years”.

Oskanyan’s concerns

On February 18, Former Foreign Minister of Armenia, Head of Civilitas Foundation Vardan Oskanyan stated that “we may lose the right of Karabakh people’s for self-determination”.

Photo: Photolure

“The uncertainty surrounding Karabakh is palpable, there’s no negotiating document on which the sides are willing to work together. I have real concerns that the right of people of NK to self-determination, which was codified in the negotiating document as a result of a long and hard effort, may just be allowed to slip away,” said Oskanyan, who was the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1998 to 2008.

•    5 YEARS AGO: FEBRUARY 15-21, 2016

Deterrence System

Speaking at the OSCE Military Doctrine Seminar in Vienna on February 18, First Deputy Minister of Defense of Armenia Davit Tonoyan stated that the Armenian Armed Forces would move from static protection to a Deterrence System.

“In order to achieve the objectives of ensuring security in Armenia with intention of creating favorable conditions for peace talks within OSCE Minsk Group, we plan to implement a series of measures. It includes Deterrence System, which Armenia will use to reduce the armed confrontation,” said Tonoyan.

Davit Tonoyan in 2016

Photo: Armenian MoD

According to him, Deterrence System was gradually replacing in Armenian army the static defense concept that could be perceived as lack of power.

“In fact, defensive strategy gave us nothing more than encouraged provocative actions. So, Armenia will implement qualitative solutions to neutralize quantitative imbalances, while strictly maintaining the existing restrictions on arms control. Deterrence system will be utilized both as responsive and proactive manner,” said Tonoyan.

Ara Tadevosyan