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: NOVEMBER 26 – DECEMBER 2, 2003
Saakashvili’s admiration
Georgian presidential candidate, United National Movement leader Mikheil Saakashvili gave an interview to the Armenian Public TV Channel on November 30, 2003, in which he noted that “developing relations with Armenia is of vital importance to Georgia.”
“I think that the political contacts between our countries have been of formal character until recently. Armenia is Georgia’s most important ally, our most important partner for future, and we should pursue individual policy towards this country. Sometimes I thought that Shevardnadze had a half-hearted approach to relations with Armenia,” said Saakashvili.
Mikheil Saakashvili, November 2003 Photo: REUTERS
Saakashvili also noted that although he did not have Armenian roots, he found it unacceptable that certain politicians used the word “Armenian” in a negative context.
“During the pre-election campaign, the head of Bolnisi region called me “an Armenian who couldn’t get a single vote there”. Unfortunately, I do not have Armenian roots, but I am not insulted by a comparison with Armenians, quite the opposite, in fact. Instead of reacting to these nationalistic statements, Shevardnadze was watching calmly and pretending that nothing outrageous happened,” said Saakashvili.
He added he had always “admired how well the Armenian army is organized”.
Life sentence
On December 2, the court of Kentron and Nork-Marash administrative districts of Yerevan sentenced the five executors of the terrorist attack in the Armenian Parliament on 27 October 1999 to life imprisonment. The convicts were Nairi and Karen Hunanyan, Derenik Bedzhanyan, Vram Galstyan and Eduard Grigoryan.
• 5 YEARS AGO: NOVEMBER 26 – DECEMBER 2, 2013
Joint statement by Armenia and EU
On November 29 Armenia and the European Union adopted a joint statement in Vilnius, in which the sides reiterated their commitment to further developing and strengthening comprehensive cooperation in all areas of mutual interest within the Eastern Partnership.
Serzh Sargsyan at the Eastern Partnership Summit in VilniusPhoto: REUTERS
“The EU and Armenia acknowledge that they have completed negotiations on an Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, but will not proceed with its initialling due to Armenia's new international commitments. They agree on the necessity to update the EU-Armenia ENP Action Plan,” read the statement.
Schulz’s disappointment
On November 28 President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz noted he was “deeply disappointed” that Ukraine and Armenia abandoned the plans to sign Association Agreements at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius.
Martin Schulz Photo: REUTERS
“It is especially regrettable that the countries' decisions to reconsider their choices have been made under external pressure. We should say clearly and loudly that the economic and political pressure exerted by Russia against our eastern partners is simply unacceptable,” Schulz said in a statement.
Putin in Gyumri
Russia intended to strengthen its positions in the Caucasus, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in Gyumri on December 2.
“Russia is not leaving Caucasus. On the contrary, we are going to strengthen our positions in Caucasus on the basis of the best we inherited from our predecessors and the special relations with the countries in this region, including Armenia,” Putin said while speaking at the Armenian-Russian Forum in Gyumri.
He stressed that Armenia's decision to join the Customs Union opened broad opportunities for development of Armenian-Russian cooperation.
“It [joining the Customs Union - Mediamax] is the sovereign choice of the Armenian people and Armenian leadership. Russia will do everything possible to support this area of cooperation with Armenia. We have launched practical preparations for Armenia’s membership to Customs Union, and now we have to agree upon a large package of legal and administrative issues,” said the Russian President.
Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin on December 2, 2013 Photo: Photolure
Putin also announced that Armenia would buy Russian arms at domestic Russian prices.
“We would very much like that the blood of Armenian and Azerbaijani citizens never be shed in this region, which is located near the Russian borders and has close ties with the Russian Federation,” said Vladimir Putin.
The Russian leader described as “absolutely counter-productive” the discussions of what Russia would do in case of a new war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “Such talks may create an impression that we are preparing for a war, but we should strive to settle all disputes solely through political and diplomatic means," noted Putin.
Ara Tadevosyan
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