Author: Aram Torosian

In Paris, Armenian Ombudsman presents Azerbaijan’s continuing genocidal policy

Aram Torosian
Public Radio of Armenia
Dec 8 2021
December 8, 2021, 11:05

 Less than a minute

At the Théâtre du Palais-Royal in Paris, Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan delivered a keynote address at an event organized by the Members of the European Union and the Armenian National Committee of France.

The meeting was attended by more than 500 heads of Armenian Diaspora organizations, representatives of the Armenian community and French statesmen.

In the report, the Ombudsman spoke in detail about the post-war human rights violations, Azerbaijan’s continuing genocidal policy, as well as the fact that the protection of the rights of Armenian border residents requires the removal of Azerbaijani armed servicemen from the Armenian villages.

On 30th Anniversary of Referendum Artsakh Calls for International Recognition of its Independence

Aram Torosian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Celebrating Artsakh’s Independence

The referendum on independence is a solid legal basis for Artsakh’s statehood, created to save the people of Artsakh from the threat of complete annihilation, Artsakh’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on the 30th Anniversary of the Referendum on Independence, which was held on December 10, 1991.

“Strengthening the state of Artsakh and achieving its international recognition are an absolute priority for the authorities and people of Artsakh, since having a national state with a status of an international legal subject is the key condition and means of preserving and developing the people,” the Ministry said.

“The struggle of the people of Artsakh for their independent statehood is a struggle for freedom, fundamental rights and peace, as well as a safe and dignified future,” added the Artsakh foreign ministry.

Below is the full text of the statement:

30 years ago, on December 10, 1991, a nationwide referendum on the political future of Artsakh was held in the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh Republic), as a result of which the overwhelming majority of the voters (99.89%) voted for independence. The referendum was held in full compliance with the then national legislation in force, democratic procedures and norms of international law. All the necessary conditions were created for holding a referendum on the entire territory of the Republic. Eighty two percent of the citizens eligible to vote took part in the voting.

The preparation and holding of the referendum took place against the backdrop of a purposefully pursued policy by Azerbaijan to escalate tensions, which became explosive and subsequently turned into a full-scale war against Artsakh and its people.

The referendum on independence in Artsakh was another attempt by the Artsakh side to prevent the impending war and to transfer the resolution of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict to the legal and political field. However, Azerbaijan ignored the steps taken by Artsakh to resolve the conflict by peaceful and democratic means and on the election day subjected Stepanakert, the capital of the Republic, tօ massive artillery shelling, as a result of which dozens of civilians were killed and injured.

The people of Artsakh have repeatedly reaffirmed their determination to strengthen and develop the sovereign statehood at subsequent constitutional referenda. On December 10, 2006, the first Constitution of the country was adopted in Artsakh at a national referendum. On February 20, 2017, the people of Artsakh voted for the new Constitution at a regular referendum, thus confirming their previous decisions and will, to continue the path of building an independent state.

Unfortunately, the expressions of the will of the people of Artsakh and their democratic aspirations became a missed opportunity for the international community, which, if recognized, could have prevented the wars unleashed by Azerbaijan against our country and saved thousands of innocent lives.

Azerbaijan was the initiator of three wars unleashed with the aim of destroying Artsakh in 1991-94, 2016 and 2020. In the interwar years it deliberately and consistently undermined the peacekeeping efforts of international mediators by taking an extremely uncompromising and destructive position on all issues during the negotiations. The continuation of this aggressive policy has been Baku’s refusal to conduct substantive negotiations after the 44-day war in 2020 in order to exclude the possibility of achieving a comprehensive settlement of the conflict. The evolution of the proposals of the international mediators demonstrates their understanding of the impossibility of Artsakh’s being part of Azerbaijan and recognition of the key role of the people of Artsakh in determining their political status. In particular, by refusing to negotiate, Baku, contrary to the efforts and proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, is trying to impose the results of the illegal use of force as a fait accompli.

We emphasize once again that recognition of the inalienable right to self-determination realized by the people of Artsakh is the only way to put an end to the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict and to create conditions for eliminating its consequences, including liberation of all the occupied territories, and finding a long-term, fair and sustainable solution to the problem of refugees and other remaining issues.

The referendum on independence is a solid legal basis for the statehood of Artsakh, created with the aim of saving the people of Artsakh from the threat of complete annihilation, which emanated and continues to emanate from the militant policy of Azerbaijan, where the hatred against Armenians and genocidal ideology are the basis of state-building.

Strengthening the state of Artsakh and achieving its international recognition are an absolute priority for the authorities and people of Artsakh, since having a national state with a status of an international legal subject is the key condition and means of preserving and developing the people. The struggle of the people of Artsakh for their independent statehood is a struggle for freedom, fundamental rights and peace, as well as a safe and dignified future.

Recognition of inalienable right to self-determination is only way to end Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict – Stepanakert

Aram Torosian

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 10:25,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh released a statement on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the independence referendum.

“30 years ago, on December 10, 1991, a nationwide referendum on the political future of Artsakh was held in the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabagh Republic), as a result of which the overwhelming majority of the voters (99.89%) voted for independence,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

“The referendum was held in full compliance with the then-national legislation in force, democratic procedures and norms of international law. All the necessary conditions were created for holding a referendum on the entire territory of the Republic. Eighty two percent of the citizens eligible to vote took part in the voting.

The preparation and holding of the referendum took place against the background of a purposefully pursued policy of Azerbaijan to escalate tensions, which became explosive and subsequently turned into a full-scale war against Artsakh and its people.

The referendum on independence in Artsakh was another attempt by the Artsakh side to prevent the impending war and to transfer the resolution of the Azerbaijan-Karabagh conflict to the legal and political plane. However, Azerbaijan ignored the steps taken by Artsakh to resolve the conflict by peaceful and democratic means and on the election day subjected Stepanakert, the capital of the Republic, tօ massive artillery shelling, as a result of which dozens of civilians were killed and injured.

The people of Artsakh have repeatedly reaffirmed their determination to strengthen and develop the sovereign statehood at subsequent constitutional referenda. On December 10, 2006, the first Constitution of the country was adopted in Artsakh at a national referendum. On February 20, 2017, the people of Artsakh voted for the new Constitution at a regular referendum, thus confirming their previous decisions and will, to continue the path of building an independent state.

Unfortunately, the expressions of the will of the people of Artsakh and their democratic aspirations became a missed opportunity for the international community, which, if recognized, could have prevented the wars unleashed by Azerbaijan against our country and saved thousands of innocent lives.

Azerbaijan was the initiator of three wars unleashed with the aim of destroying Artsakh in 1991-94, 2016 and 2020. In the interwar years it deliberately and consistently undermined the peacekeeping efforts of international mediators by taking an extremely uncompromising and destructive position on all issues during the negotiations. The continuation of this aggressive policy has been Baku’s refusal to conduct substantive negotiations after the 44-day war in 2020 in order to exclude the possibility of achieving a comprehensive settlement of the conflict. The evolution of the proposals of the international mediators demonstrates their understanding of the impossibility of Artsakh’s being part of Azerbaijan and recognition of the key role of the people of Artsakh in determining their political status. In particular, by refusing to negotiate, Baku, contrary to the efforts and proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, is trying to impose the results of the illegal use of force as a fait accompli.

We emphasize once again that recognition of the inalienable right to self-determination realized by the people of Artsakh is the only way to put an end to the Azerbaijan-Karabagh conflict and to create conditions for eliminating its consequences, including liberation of all the occupied territories, and finding a long-term, fair and sustainable solution to the problem of refugees and other remaining issues.

The referendum on independence is a solid legal basis for the statehood of Artsakh, created with the aim of saving the people of Artsakh from the threat of complete annihilation, which emanated and continues to emanate from the militant policy of Azerbaijan, where the hatred against Armenians and genocidal ideology are the basis of state-building.

Strengthening the state of Artsakh and achieving its international recognition are an absolute priority for the authorities and people of Artsakh, since having a national state with a status of an international legal subject is the key condition and means of preserving and developing the people. The struggle of the people of Artsakh for their independent statehood is a struggle for freedom, fundamental rights and peace, as well as a safe and dignified future.”



U.S. to build "defense facilities" in Georgia and Armenia?

Aram Torosian
Vestnik Kavkaza
Dec 10 2021
 10 Dec in 12:40

The United States plans to build new “defense facilities” in Georgia and Armenia, according to preliminary documentation provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, writes RT.

The document says that the U.S. wants to sign two separate contracts with companies that could undertake the design and construction of new, as well as the restoration of old facilities in Georgia and Armenia “in support of the defense activities of the United States.”

It is noted that the new contracts will relate primarily to “construction, design, reconstruction of buildings, repair of roads, sidewalks.” The total value of the contracts may reach $45 million.

Turkish press: Turkish security forces kill top PKK terrorist in Şanlıurfa

Aram Torosian
 ISTANBUL DEC 07, 2021 – 9:11 AM GMT+3

Counterterrorism squads raid a home in Adana, Turkey. (AA File Photo)

Security forces killed a top wanted PKK terrorist in a counterterrorism operation in Turkey’s southeastern Şanlıurfa province, Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu said Tuesday.

The militant, identified as Ferhat Tunç, codenamed “Rubar,” was allegedly responsible for the terrorist group’s activities in the so-called Gap-Rıha area.

The operation was carried out by police squads, intelligence units and special operations squads, Soylu said, as he congratulated the security forces for their diligent work.

The Interior Ministry also made a statement, noting that the operation was carried out in the Hacılar village of Bozova district.

The security forces, backed by drones, surrounded the compound where the terrorist was located and told him to surrender, but the latter responded by opening fire. Security forces then responded and killed the terrorist, the ministry said.

A gun, two hand grenades and organizational documents were confiscated during the operation.

Turkish security forces regularly conduct counterterrorism operations in Turkey’s eastern and southeastern provinces, where the PKK has attempted to establish a strong presence and build bases. The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) also carry out cross-border operations in northern Iraq, a region where PKK terrorists have hideouts and bases used for carrying out attacks in Turkey, with particular attention paid to targeting high-level terrorists.

In its more than 40-year terrorism campaign against Turkey, the PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children.

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 12/02/2021

Aram Torosian 
                                        Thursday, December 2, 2021
Blinken Meets Armenian, Azeri FMs
Sweden - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Armenian Foreign Minister 
Ararat Mirzoyan meet in Stockholm, December 2, 2021.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held separate talks with the Armenian and 
Azerbaijani foreign ministers and called for a “lasting peaceful end to the 
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict” on Thursday.
Blinken also discussed the conflict with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov 
on the sidelines of a meeting of the top diplomats from OSCE member states held 
in Sweden’s capital Stockholm.
“We urge all parties to resolve other outstanding issues like border 
delimitation and demarcation, the restoration of economic and transport links, 
and to continue to engage with the Minsk Group co-chairs for a lasting peaceful 
end to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” Blinken said in his speech at the annual 
conference.
He also welcomed the “resumption of direct dialogue between the governments of 
Armenia and Azerbaijan.” He called on the conflicting sides to “make progress on 
humanitarian issues,” including the release of Armenian prisoners held in 
Azerbaijan.
“And I hope there, we can all work together, including with Russia, to continue 
to make progress,” added Blinken.
In virtually identical Twitter posts, Blinken said he discussed with Armenian 
Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov 
“our intensified efforts to resolve all outstanding issues related to or 
resulting from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.”
“The United States will stay engaged, including the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair 
process,” he wrote.
Sweden - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister 
Jeyhun Bayramov meet in Stockholm, December 2, 2021.
According to the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Mirzoyan briefed Blinken on 
Azerbaijani troops’ fresh “incursion into Armenia’s sovereign territory” which 
triggered deadly fighting on the border between the two South Caucasus states 
last month.
“In that context, the interlocutors stressed the importance of taking steps to 
deescalate the situation,” read a statement released by the ministry.
Bayramov was reported to have presented Blinken with the Azerbaijani version of 
the border clashes that left at least 13 soldiers from both sides dead.
Bayramov and Mirzoyan traded accusations when they addressed the OSCE gathering. 
At the same time they both expressed hope that understandings reached by the 
leaders of their countries in Russia last week will help to ease tensions in the 
conflict zone.
Armenian Speaker Defends Purchase Of New Limo
Armenia - Speaker Alen Simonian chairs a session of the National 
Assembly,September 13, 2021.
Parliament speaker Alen Simonian on Thursday defended the Armenian government’s 
controversial decision to buy a new luxury car for him.
The government allocated 90 million drams ($185,000) for the purchase of the BMW 
limousine last week, sparking strong criticism from opposition politicians and 
civil society members.
Some critics accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian of hypocrisy. They argued 
that as an opposition lawmaker Pashinian had himself accused Armenia’s former 
government of wasting scarce public funds on expensive cars used by many state 
officials.
Simonian told 1in.am that he himself asked the government to buy him a new 
limousine. He claimed that his current official car, reportedly manufactured in 
2010, frequently breaks down and requires expensive repairs.
“It’s an armored car that was not designed for long-term use. It weighs at least 
4.5 tons,” he said.
Asked why he did not opt for a less expensive vehicle, Simonian said: “Because 
the National Assembly is a representative body and we receive many [foreign] 
guests … We have many official engagements.”
The speaker, who is a leading member of Pashinian’s Civil Contract party, also 
said that the parliament staff has saved this year 600 million drams in 
expenditures projected by the state budget.
Armenia Blighted By Populism, Says Ex-President Sarkisian
        • Gayane Saribekian
Armenia -- Former President Serzh Sarkisian holds a news conference in Yerevan, 
August 19, 2020.
Former President Serzh Sarkisian lambasted Armenia’s current leadership and 
deplored its track record during an international video conference organized by 
Russia’s ruling party on Wednesday.
Sarkisian charged that political scientists can now use his country for a case 
study of populist rule and its “ruinous consequences.”
“Before the coronavirus, many countries of the world, including Armenia, were 
infected with another extremely dangerous virus, the virus of populism,” he 
said. “It pains me to say this because my country is now feeling on its skin the 
ruinous consequences of inept rule by amateur populists.”
Sarkisian went on to again blame Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s administration 
for Armenia’s defeat in last year’s war with Azerbaijan.
“The army and the diplomatic corps, which were totally wrecked by the populist 
regime for three years, did not manage to cope with the Azerbaijani aggression. 
I want to once again reaffirm that this was a defeat of not our people but a 
bunch of criminally irresponsible demagogues,” he told the online event chaired 
by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
Anush Beghloyan, a parliament deputy from Pashinian’s Civil Contract party, 
rejected the accusations.
“Armenia’s diplomatic corps and parliamentary diplomacy are doing everything to 
protect Armenia’s sovereignty and national interests,” she told RFE/RL’s 
Armenian Service.
Beghloyan also argued that the ruling political team won snap parliamentary 
elections held in June.
Echoing statements by other opposition leaders, Sarkisian insisted that the 
elections did not end a post-war political crisis in Armenia. He claimed that 
they on the contrary plunged the country into a “new infernal period” marked by 
Azerbaijani attacks on its internationally recognized territory.
Sarkisian, 67, resigned in April 2018 during Pashinian-led mass protests sparked 
by his attempt to prolong his decade-long rule. Pashinian had long accused him 
of corruption and misrule.
The ex-president remains the chairman of the former ruling Republican Party of 
Armenia (HHK). The HHK makes up, together with another opposition party, the 
Pativ Unem alliance represented in the current Armenian parliament.
Sarkisian’s latest scathing attacks on Pashinian came about two weeks after 
law-enforcement authorities brought fresh bribery charges against him. He 
rejects them as politically motivated.
No Agreement Reached In Armenian-Azeri Talks On Transport Links
        • Astghik Bedevian
        • Karlen Aslanian
Russia -- A Russian-Armenian-Azerbaijani working group on cross-border transport 
issues meets in Moscow, January 30, 2021.
Armenia and Azerbaijan appear to have failed to put the finishing touches on an 
agreement to establish cross-border transport connections during the latest 
round of negotiations mediated by Russia.
Senior Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani officials making up a trilateral 
working group met in Moscow on Wednesday five days after the leaders of the 
three states held talks in another Russian city, Sochi.
The latter reported further progress towards opening the Armenian-Azerbaijani 
border to passenger and cargo traffic. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the 
working group dealing with the matter will meet this week to announce “decisions 
which we agreed today.”
The task force co-headed by deputy prime ministers of Russia, Armenia and 
Azerbaijan did not announce any agreements or issue statements after the Moscow 
meeting that lasted for several hours.
The office of Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigorian said on Thursday 
that the meeting “will continue in the coming days.”
“We will be able to speak about its results only after the end of the session,” 
the office said in a statement to RFE/RL’s Armenian Service. It gave no details 
of Wednesday’s talks.
The secretary of Armenia’s Security Council, Armen Grigorian, effectively 
confirmed that Baku and Yerevan have not yet hammered out final details of the 
deal sought by Moscow.
Speaking at the RFE/RL studio in Yerevan, he said: “I think that Azerbaijan is 
not displaying the kind of political will that’s necessary for furthering the 
agreements reached in Sochi.”
“If they [the working group] didn’t manage to make progress, then I think that’s 
because Azerbaijan was not constructive on this issue,” added Grigorian.
The Russian-brokered ceasefire that stopped last year’s war in Nagorno-Karabakh 
commits Armenia to opening rail and road links between Azerbaijan and its 
Nakhichevan exclave. Armenia should be able, for its part, to use Azerbaijani 
territory as a transit route for cargo shipments to Russia and Iran.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly claimed that the deal calls 
for a special “corridor” that will connect Nakhichevan to the rest of Azerbaijan 
via Armenia’s Syunik province. Commenting on the Sochi talks over the weekend, 
he declared that the “Zangezur corridor is becoming reality.”
The Armenian Foreign Ministry denied that on Tuesday. Deputy Prime Minister 
Grigorian likewise insisted that the three leaders discussed conventional 
transport links, rather than “exterritorial roads” implied by Aliyev.
“As we have said before, Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss any 
issue with the logic of a corridor,” the Security Council secretary said for his 
part.
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2021 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Armenia-Azerbaijan Relations Remain Uneasy, But Carefully Improving

Aram Torosian

Dec 1 2021


  • Larry Cruz
  • December 1, 2021

Since the six-week-long war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region in 2020, the Russian-brokered ceasefire of November 2020 continues to hold, barring the occasional exchange of fire. However, much of the uneasy peace is contingent on cooperation from both sides and Russian mediation to prevent deterioration of relations. At the end of last month, leaders from the three countries met in Sochi to discuss future cooperation on various fronts, ultimately hoping to improve relations further.

Last Friday, Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinian, and Russian president Vladimir Putin held talks that focused on border, trade, and economic issues. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (R.F.E./R.L.) reports that conflict flares up in the region at times. One of the most recent flareups occurred a week prior to the meeting, risking that “fears of a return to large-scale violence” would be rekindled. However, despite these conflicts, the leaders expressed positive remarks post-meeting.

A statement by the three called for “stability and security on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the creation of a bilateral commission on the delimitation of the state border between [Azerbaijan and Armenia] with its subsequent demarcation with the consultative assistance of the Russian Federation [and focusing on] commitments from the past year on resuming economic and transport links in their Caucasus region.”

President Aliyev expressed hopes for a “more secure and predictable” situation in the region while also discussing “issues of border delimitation and demarcation and unblocking of transport arteries,” among many others. President Pashinian regarded the meeting as “very positive,” saying, “[W]e can expect concrete results if we manage to build on the dynamics of our talks.”

The conflict traces back to the early 1990s, when “[e]thnic Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan as the Soviet Union collapsed,” the Moscow Times writes. After years of relative stability, the most recent major conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region began in September 2020 and lasted for six weeks before the ceasefire agreement in early November 2020, claiming over 6,500 lives on both sides. Since then, occasional confrontations have taken place, with some involving human casualties. Russia negotiated a second ceasefire on November 16th to prevent further flareups.

Since then, the European Union, the United Nations, and other countries have called for an end to any conflicts in the region. Shortly after the ceasefire, European Council president Charles Michel spoke with President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinian. “Michel did not apportion blame for the ‘challenging situation in the region’ but demanded an ‘urgent de-escalation and full ceasefire,’” EURACTIV reports.

According to R.F.E./R.L., during a recent conflict prior to the November 26th meeting, Armenia “accused Azerbaijan’s armed forces of killing one of its soldiers along the countries’ border.” Azerbaijan replied, “[O]ur units did not open fire in that direction, the situation is stable.” The exchange of blame is very common after such confrontations. As previously mentioned, small conflict flareups can be a cause for concern, which further supports the need to maintain open lines of communication without hostilities.

After the second ceasefire was established, Russia’s defense minister Sergei Shoigu “held phone conversations with counterparts in Baku and Yerevan and pledged Moscow’s help in easing tensions,” the Moscow Times reports. This, and the three-way talks in Sochi, may appear symbolic, but given the nature of the conflict and the high human toll during the six-week war, it is essential that Armenia and Azerbaijan maintain dialogue. Russia’s assistance as a mediator is also essential in order to maintain the ceasefire and ensure that all parties hold to their agreements. Holding more discussions will not only reduce hostile rhetoric, but may also reduce small confrontations as both countries rebuild trust with each other.

Rather than assigning blame for the conflict, Armenia and Azerbaijan should focus on cooperation on the fronts of trade, transportation, the economy, and their borders, which will ultimately benefit both countries by reducing the possibility of new conflicts. Using their resources to improve their economies will instead open up new avenues of co-operation. The Sochi meeting is an example of positive changes in the region, and this form of dialogue and co-operation should continue.


 

Erdogan says Sochi meeting ‘resolved’ rail and road construction along Arax River

Aram Torosian
Panorama, Armenia
Nov 30 2021

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday claimed that his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev has informed him that the issue of the construction of railway and roads along the Arax (Araks) River was “resolved” during a meeting between the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan in Sochi on Friday, Asbarez reported.

”The issue of building railways and roads along the Arax River has been resolved,” Erdogan claimed that Aliyev informed him on Sunday during the Economic Cooperation Organization in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

“The construction of a highway passing through Armenia and Nakhichevan to Turkey’s Igdir Province is on the agenda,” added Erdogan, emphasizing that with these projects the parties will take a step toward the development of air and cargo transportation in the region.

Erdogan also discussed the so-called “3+3” plan, which is a plan put forth by Ankara and Baku and envisions the formation of a transportation and economic bloc involving Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Iran.

“The activation of this dimension, with the participation of Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iran, and if they agree, Georgia, will prove that there is regional peace,” he said. “We see that there are positive steps in that direction.”

President Sarkissian meets with a group of future journalists

Aram Torosian

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 18:37,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian met with a group of students participating in EU-assisted “European media platform in Armenia. building reliable and professional media” program and the team working with them. The program is implemented by FactorTV in partnership with BBC Media Action and Deutsche Welle Akademie, ARMENPRESS reports the press service of the President’s Office informed.

In a conversation with future journalists, President Sarkissian, in particular, referred to the development prospects of Armenia, highlighted the creation of an open model state based on national identity, national values. “We are a global nation and the model of our country should be open”, the President said, adding that Armenia should pursue the policy of science, new technologies, high quality production, which can be exported. According to the President, for that it is important to follow the tendencies of scientific and technological development in the world, build our vision taking into account those tendencies.

“The small countries that understand their place in the future, become successful. Our only wealth are our people around the world, but we have decided not to use them. We teach the Diaspora that their only function is charity, we do not encourage the Diaspora to invest. We must create all the conditions to allow their participation in the development of our country”, the President said.

The President noted the open model of the state will also prevent emigration. “Today, many Armenians, reaching succeed, first think about leaving Armenia. If the society was open, people would not think about leaving”, President Sarkissian said, adding “For that I say today that we need to change the Constitution. It’s not important if it will be presidential of parliamentary, the important thing is that the power should be balanced. You need tools to be able to exercise restraint.”

The President also highlighted the comprehension and preservation of national identity. “The meaning and purpose of our life as a nation stem from the identity. You need to know exactly who you are as an individual or as a nation, what you live for. Identity is also the passport of the state.”

President Sarkissian urged future journalists to be committed to the values and principles of journalism, to be able to keep pace with the time, to raise journalism to a new quality through their work.

The President of the Republic also answered the questions of the future journalists.