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: JUNE 28 ИЮНЯ – JULY 4, 2006
The principles “should be universal”
On June 28 President of Russia Vladimir Putin said that the principles for the settlement of conflicts in Kosovo, Cyprus, Transcaucasus and Transnistria “should be universal and be based on the international law, on the respect for the interests of all peoples involved in the conflict.”
“Kelbajar can be returned only after the referendum”
“Based on security concerns, Kelbajar can be returned only after the referendum is conducted and the final status of Nagorno Karabakh is determined,” Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said on June 30.
The Armenian FM said that the issue of Kelbajar was the disagreement that the co-chairs were addressing in their statement made at the session of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on June 22.
Vartan Oskanian and Sergy Lavrov in 2005Photo: Photolure
On the same day Matthew Bryza, the U.S. co-chair of the Minsk Group stated that the Armenians would not pull back their troops unless they got something for it.
“Would an Armenian troop pull-out reduce tension? Well, sure as hell it would. That’s why it’s a core element of our core principles. But the Armenians aren’t just going to pull back the troops because we say, “that would help reduce tension.” They’ll do it if they get something for it and that’s precisely what these core principles are all about,” the U.S. Co-chair stated.
Matthew Bryza said that a population vote, or a referendum vote on the future status of Karabakh was “extremely important” for the Armenian side, so that’s what the Azerbaijani side would have to offer the Armenians.”
“What gets difficult is how you correlate the withdrawal, or the redeployment, of Armenian troops with the timing of a vote on the future status of Karabakh,” Matthew Bryza said.
• 10 YEARS AGO: JUNE 28 ИЮНЯ – JULY 4, 2011
“Additional proposals”
On July 1 Minister of Foreign Affairs of France Alain Juppé said that “additional proposals” would be made to the sides of Karabakh conflict.
“I welcome the efforts of Russia, the Russian President. He took much effort in this issue both in Sochi and in Kazan. But, nevertheless, this did not lead to any results, and, of course, this is sad. Nevertheless, as far as I know, there will be additional proposals now for that we can come to at least some agreement as to this issue,” Alain Juppé said.
Alain Juppe in 2011Photo: REUTERS
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said that “the people of Nagorno-Karabakh has the internationally recognized right for self-determination, which should be realized fully.”
“There is no other solution for the settlement of Karabakh conflict,” he said.
Speaking of the fact that at the meeting in Kazan the Azerbaijani side put forward around ten new suggestions for the existing document, the Armenian President said:
“We all very well understand that this document is worked on to a degree that any change will require change in other places, in other items, in other provisions”.
• 5 YEARS AGO: JUNE 28 ИЮНЯ – JULY 4, 2016
“Our weapons allow us to defend ourselves”
On June 29 Armenian Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan expressed hope that Azerbaijani military leadership would make conclusions after the failed blitzkrieg of early April.
“I believe that Azerbaijani leadership made adequate conclusions from the relatively peaceful situation at the front line, realizing that they cannot achieve an easy victory. The failed blitzkrieg shows that they need to think more thoroughly next time. They were dealing with NKR Defense Army, which is competent in the region now owing to its combat readiness, effiency and professionalism,” he said.
According to him, Defense Army of Artsakh and Armenia army analyzed the situation after every action, which ensured correct planning.
Seyran Ohanyan Photo: Photolure
“Joint analysis shows that development plans of Armenian Army correspond with current situation. Defense lines, our weapons and their current amount allow us to ensure protection and undertake counter-attacks,” said Seyran Ohanyan.
On the other hand, Minister stressed that although Armenian Armed Forces had minor failures, they were prepared during the April war.
“If we were not prepared, Azerbaijani Armed Forces would have achieved their goal during the offensive,” said Armenian Defense Minister.
Armenia will never discuss the autonomy
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated that the Armenian side had never discussed and never would discuss the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh being autonomous region of Azerbaijan during negotiations.
After the meeting in St. Petersburg, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, returning to Baku, said that he was ready to discuss the issue of Karabakh’s autonomy, bringing Nakhijevan as an example, saying that they spoke about it during the meeting in St. Petersburg.
Minister Nalbandian called Aliyev’s statement “fabricated”.
According to him, Azerbaijan was trying to show the public that these agreements were in favor of them.
“I do not think that this approach could be useful for negotiations. Once populated by Armenians, Nakhijevan is completely emptied now, Armenian cultural heritage is destroyed, and it is now brought as an example by Azerbaijani President as a perspective for Nagorno- Karabakh. This is a bright example of why it cannot and will not be a subject of negotiations,” said Edward Nalbandian.
Kerry asks to fulfill commitments
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke with President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on June 30.
John Kerry and Serzh SargsyanPhoto: REUTERS
“Secretary Kerry asked the Presidents to fulfill the commitments, including implementation of the two confidence building measures, they made at the May 16 meeting in Vienna and the June 20 meeting in St. Petersburg. The Secretary also reiterated the United States’ support for substantive talks that can lead to a comprehensive settlement, and urged the Presidents to continue their dialogue under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs,” said the State Department’s Spokesperson.
Ara Tadevosyan
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