Author: Hunanian Jack

‘Armenia is committed to the exclusively peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict’ – FM Mnatsakanyan’s remarks

Hunanian Jack
ArmenPress, Armenia
‘Armenia is committed to the exclusively peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict’ – FM Mnatsakanyan’s remarks at Eastern Partnership informal ministerial meeting


YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s minister of foreign affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan delivered remarks at the 10th Informal Dialogue of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Eastern Partnership Countries in Minsk, Belarus.

Below is the full transcript of the minister’s remarks, as reported by the foreign ministry:

“Dear colleagues, Dear Commissioner Hahn,

First of all, I extend my gratitude and appreciation to Minister Vladimir Makei for the warm reception and for hosting the Eastern Partnership Informal Dialogue.

I am very happy to be back in Minsk, a place celebrated for its hospitality and kindness towards visitors. I thank also Commissioner Hahn for the consistency and commitment in promoting the Eastern Partnership in the European Union, as well as encouraging the spirit of cooperation among the partner countries.

I extend my greetings to all the good friends around the table. I’m sure by now you have been well briefed about the latest developments in Armenia. I want to reiterate the unwavering and strong commitment of the new government led by the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resolutely deliver on the clear mandate of the people of Armenia and to consolidate the rule of law democratic principles, fight against corruption, the protection and the promotion of the rights of the Armenian people to secure fairness and equal opportunities for all in economic social and other activities. Having been in office for more than one month the Government has been steadfast in its manifest actions.

I also reiterate that the developments in Armenia over the months of April and May were of strictly domestic nature, they concern Armenia, they are about Armenia and are about the aspirations of the Armenian people.

In our foreign policy priorities, as formulated in the Government programme, Armenia pursues continuity, predictability and reinforced engagement with all its friends and partners on the basis of sovereign equality and in consolidation of our efforts to promote the interests of Armenia and advance mutually beneficial cooperation and partnership.

I have arrived in Minsk from Brussels, I have arrived in the very small hours of the morning following the delay, so I’m still looking forward to enjoy Minsk if I had that opportunity.

In Brussels, with Vice President and High Representative Federica Mogherini we held yesterday our first Partnership Council following the activation of the provisional application of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. This was an important opportunity to take stock of the present phase of our partnership and sketch out the priorities for the way ahead. Provisional application of the Agreement was made possible following the ratification of the CEPA by the Armenian Parliament on 11 April. The CEP Agreement represents the new legal foundation of our relations with the European Union and its member states and builds on the long tradition of cooperation. For Armenia it is also a valuable instrument in assisting to our reform agenda.

We will continue to decisively pursue the mobility partnership and visa liberalization agenda with the European Union. Amongst other things, the political significance of this agenda is in promoting people to people contacts, as human interactions represent a fundamental source of advancing mutual respect and understanding in interstate relations.

Eastern Partnership continues to be an important platform for advancing the spirit of co-operation on the basis of shared principles and set of values. We will continue to insist on advancing such spirit in our relations and to work towards building trust and mutual respect amongst partner countries. This message of Europe born out of the deprivations of the Second World War remains as relevant as ever. And Commissioner Hahn has been referring to it, the message of stability in your statement as well. The turbulence of the present international and European agenda should compel us to reinforce such message and action.

Sustainable peace remains a challenge to our region. Armenia is committed to the exclusively peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the internationally agreed format of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship. The status and security of Nagorno-Karabakh are the overarching priorities of Armenia. The environment conducive to peace is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of the negotiation process and should be given a prominence. Escalation along the Line of Contact between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan and along the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, war mongering and the hate rhetoric, denial of genuine people to people contacts should be firmly rejected. Both EU member states and Eastern partner countries should resolutely withhold all activities contributing to the arms race in the region and tolerating actions, which undermine the peace process or challenge the agreed format of negotiations. The concept and message of Eastern Partnership is pertinent and reinforcing in reiterating Armenia’s commitment to peace.

The 2017 Brussels summit empowered us with 20 deliverables by 2020 at the core of which is the promotion of regional coherence, co-operation and dialogue between the EU and the Eastern Neighbours and among the partners themselves. Armenia reiterates its commitment to advance this agenda. I thank Minister Makei for initiating an exchange of views for our present meeting on the prospects of the Eastern Partnership in relation to the Multiannual Financial Framework priorities and the External Investment Plan. We consider the latter to be an important undertaking to enhance our economic resilience and performance in critical areas related to the sustainable development agenda. We would welcome a sustained focus on the Eastern neighbourhood in future EU budgetary deliberations, as we should collectively aim at securing the implementation of the already agreed mid- and long-term joint programmes directly linked to modernisation efforts and reforms.

The government agencies and the civil society of Armenia have been significantly benefiting from participation in multiple activities within the Eastern partnership. We continue to receive additional support for the reforms and institutional capacity building in Armenia and underline the importance of the incentive-based approach as defined in the Brussels Declaration. I would also want to underline the importance of sustained engagement of our civil society organisations in promoting the Eastern partnership agenda.

In conclusion, Armenia is willing and ready to assume greater ownership and engagement with the EU, its member states and partner countries towards transforming our common area into a secure, stable and prosperous neighbourhood.

Thank you.”

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

The Armenian state restoring its exclusive right to use force. The arrest of ‘General Manvel’ is aimed at disarming paramilitary feudal lords, who emerged from the Karabakh war

Hunanian Jack
Regnum, Russia
June 21 2018
The Armenian state restoring its exclusive right to use force.
The arrest of ‘General Manvel’ is aimed at disarming paramilitary feudal lords, who emerged from the Karabakh war

by Ruben Grdzelyan
[Armenian News note: the below is translated from Russian]

The arrest of Gen Manvel Grigoryan (“General Manvel”) [on 16 June] and a heightened emotional follow-up of the act without any more or less appropriate assessment of what is happening has become an informational trend in Armenia over the past few days.

The government and the state-run and private media that serve them have done a lot to make the public perceive this issue only within the emotional sphere. However, this act is far from comprising an emotional component alone. The Armenian government are quite pragmatic in their objective of getting rid of the remaining vestiges of the war that ended back 24 Years ago and transferring certain powers back to the state.

On the one hand, Grigoryan’s arrest is a demonstrative punishment for those, who continue to live and become rich in Armenia and [Azerbaijan’s breakaway Nagorno-]Karabakh at the expense of the past war. Grigoryan is a classical representative of the class, paramilitary bourgeois, who rose due to the war and were becoming rich for decades at the expense of ancient glory [Grigoryan was awarded the title of hero of Karabakh for his contribution to the victory of the Armenian forces in the Karabakh war]. The Yerkrapah Union of Volunteers public organisation that he headed was in high demand in the 1990s. The regular army of the country was only being formed at that time and it was volunteers organised in various formats, who replaced the state institutions that were inexistent or inefficient due to the lack of experience. After the war, such organisations helped veterans and families of the deceased and defended volunteers’ rights, often interpreting these rights in a peculiar manner.

Later, as the army and state institutions came into being, the formal need in organisations like Yerkrapah started decreasing. However, changing their aims and aspirations, they joined politics. Yerkrapah became involved in politics back during the Karabakh war in 1992-1994. At the beginning, they resorted to petty criminal activities (for example, taking cars and real property allegedly for the needs of the army) and by the elections of 1996, they were already an influential force in politics, their methods remaining within the frames of the definitions of the Criminal Code. This is not a specifically Armenian phenomenon. It is called “Vietnam syndrome” and it emerges in societies effectively after any war. This is how historian Karen Ghazaryan described the phenomenon for the Regnum news agency:

[Passage omitted: description of the Vietnam syndrome by Ghazaryan]

Up until now, Grigoryan has efficiently combined complexes (psychological traumas) with the political purposes of his clan. He and his Yerkrapah that had effectively turned into a militarised structure have always been necessary to the government – [former presidents] Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Robert Kocharyan, and Serzh Sargsyan. Local feudal lords used to suppress dissent during elections and ensure votes in favour of the government not only within the frames of their dominions – the area of Ejmiatsin, but also in other regions, where Yerkrapah members were present. Due to this, the government was ready to forgive them anything. Moreover, the government delegated to General Manvel the exclusive right of the state to use force. In the meantime, duplication of absolute and exclusive rights of the state weakens the latter and, among others, reduces the standing of the state even in the eyes of those, who are part of the state machine.

It is obvious that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan does not need Yerkrapah’s support at the forthcoming early parliamentary elections. The denial of rumours that Pashinyan’s companion Sasun Mikayelyan intended to head Yerkrapah also confirms this. It is obvious that the organisation will be dissolved as something that turned into an atavism on the body of the state long ago. I would like to repeat that the essence of what is happening cannot be reduced to the new government’s struggle against corruption. A couple of KamAz trucks full of tinned meat and a couple of offroaders stolen from the army are just an insignificant part of the top of the iceberg of corruption.

Police shake-ups of the representatives of the “thieves'” and criminal world are in the same line with the case of “General Manvel”. Pashinyan is depriving individual groups the right to violence government has granted them over 25 years, obviously concentrating it in the hands of the state, which is how it should be. It is another issue, how the government will use the right of the state to use force, when it becomes exclusive.

MP Grigoryan must be held accountable if found guilty, says HHK

Hunanian Jack
| 12:47 | June 18 2018
Category
Politics

The Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) has issued a statement about the footage released by the national security service concerning arrested MP Manvel Grigoryan and the charges against the lawmaker.

HHK said it was “deeply saddened and angered” by the video which was presented by the NSS, showing the discoveries at the lawmaker’s compound.

“It is hard to believe that this is true. We are stunned and angered that something like this is possible by anyone in our reality, moreover by a general who actively took part in the Artsakh War. This is unacceptable and despicable,” HHK said.

Citing the presumption of innocence, the HHK said that if Manvel Grigoryan is found guilty he must be held accountable “under the entire strictness of the law”, regardless of his position.

“Anyone breaching the law, regardless of past or present official positions, party affiliation, must be held to account before the law,” the statement said.

Yezras Nersisyan: I consider the protest actions normal, but the form of expression is unacceptable

Hunanian Jack
  • 19:09 | June 14,2018 | Politics
  • Armenian:

Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Russia and New Nakhichevan Archbishop Yezras Nersisyan in response to journalists’ questions from Armenia at the monastery of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Moscow responded to recent protests demanding the resignation of His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II.

“I consider the protest actions normal, but the form of _expression_ is unacceptable.”

To the quaestion whether the Catholicos must resign, he asnwered: “The resignation of the His Holiness does not happen in this manner. The Armenian patriarch serves the people. The Church’s mission is to serve the national interest and to support the Armenian statehood,” said Archbishop Yezras Nersisyan.

Western Prelacy News- 6/15/18

Hunanian Jack 
 
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.westernprelacy.org
EPISCOPAL DIVINE LITURGY AT ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA
        On Sunday, June 17, 2018, H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General,
will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Sarkis Church in
Pasadena. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over
the service.   
***
COMMUNITY-WIDE CELEBRATION OF THE FIRST REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
        On Sunday, June 24, 2018, the centennial of the first Republic of
Armenia will be celebrated with a community-wide event under the auspices of
the three Armenian Churches and political parties. The event will be held at
Pasadena City College "Sexson Auditorium" and will feature messages as well
as cultural performances.
        We invite our community to join us in collectively celebrating the
legacy of the first Republic's founders and the path they paved for today's
free and independent Armenia.
***  
ST. GARABED CHURCH OF LAS VEGAS CELEBRATES 5TH ANNIVERSARY 
        The weekend of June 9-10, 2018 was a momentous one for the Las Vegas
parish as the community gathered to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the
consecration of St. Garabed Church with a banquet on Saturday evening and
Episcopal Divine Liturgy on Sunday. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, presided over the celebration. Executive Council Chair Mr. Garo
Eshgian and representatives of the Western Diocese, Armenian Evangelical
Church, Assyrian, Ethiopian, Greek, and Maronite Churches participated in
the festivities. 
        The banquet was hosted by Parish Council Vice-Chair Mr. and Mrs.
Garo and Maria Bayramian. The program began with welcoming remarks by MC Ms.
Carnie Armenian, who stated that over the past five years St. Garabed Church
has become not only a place of worship but also a gathering place for
community organizations and members, a place to share in celebrations and
sorrows, and a place to preserve our unique Armenian heritage. She concluded
by thanking all those who took part in the dream of creating a small Armenia
in the Las Vegas desert. Parish Pastor Rev. Fr. Arsen Kassabian delivered
the invocation. Parish Council Chairman Mr. Yeghia Yeghiayan thanked the
Prelate for his guidance and direction, as well as the Parish Pastor, all
volunteers and sponsors for their efforts and support, stating that the
community was able to construct the first Armenian Apostolic Church in the
area thanks to its faith and strong will. Mr. Adroushan Armenian, Honorary
Consul of the Republic of Armenia, spoke about the enormous effort and
energy required to maintain our churches and community organizations,
thanking all those who lend their moral and financial support to preserving
the Armenian Church, language, and cultural heritage in Las Vegas. He
invited all community members, of all ages, to continue to serve with
renewed spirits. On behalf of the Executive Council, Chairman Mr. Garo
Eshgian congratulated and the parish community and stressed the importance
of having big dreams and serving with vision for the benefit of future
generations. He commended the Parish Pastor, Parish Council, and all the
committees and sponsors, wishing them new and greater achievements and
milestones in the years to come. The candle-lighting and cake-cutting
ceremony followed.
        The Prelate began his message by greeting the guest clergy, greeting
and commending the former and current parish pastors, Archpriest Fr. Avedis
Torossian and Rev. Fr. Arsen Kassabian, Executive Council Chair Mr. Garo
Eshgian, Parish Council, Men's Society, Ladies Guild, volunteers, sponsors,
and community organizations. He greeted and commended Honorary Consul Mr.
Adroushan Armenian for his contributions to the parish community. His
Eminence recalled the work of the past five years, from the ground-blessing
conducted by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to the consecration of the
Church and Cultural Center, acknowledging all those who had a hand in the
realization of this dream, in particular the late benefactors Larry and Seda
Barnes and new sponsors. He reminded the community of what is possible with
united, sincere, and unfailing service, and stated that though they have
come far, there is still much work to be done to maintain and expand the
parish community. The Prelate highlighted the importance of constant
renewal, renewed energy, resolve, and approach in order to reach new
heights, adding that the parish pastor must be the driving force of the
community, the community must rally around him and he in turn must look to
the people for encouragement and support to grow and strengthen the parish. 
        The official program concluded with the singing of Cilicia. The
festivities continued with musical entertainment. 
        On Sunday morning, the Prelate celebrated Divine Liturgy and
delivered the sermon at St. Garabed Church. Rev. Fr. Arsen Kassabian and
Archpriest Fr. Avedis Torossian assisted at the altar. Among the faithful in
attendance were members of the "Ishkhan" Gomideh, ARS "Shushi" chapter, and
Homenetmen "Artsakh" chapter scouts.
        At the start of his message, the Prelate first greeted the parish
family and guests and wished them many more milestones in their God-pleasing
service and mission with hard work, determination, and perseverance, but
most importantly, with faith, love, goodwill, unity, and harmony. He
commended all those who have committed themselves to the prosperity of the
community and urged all parishioners to become actively engaged in the life
of the parish as the church belongs to the people. 
        Referencing the day's Gospel reading from Matthew Chapter 12:1-8,
the Prelate reiterated that our service to glorify God and meet the
spiritual needs of the people must be genuine and not for outwardly
appearances. "Faith in action should be the guiding force of our lives and
service, acting on our faith with deeds of love and service. The time has
come to put aside superficialities and insincerity and serve with conscience
and conviction, our only purpose being goodness and righteousness, not
praise or honor from those around us," he stressed.
        Given that the feast of St. Nerses the Great and Bishop Khat was
commemorated the day before, the Prelate spoke on their exemplary faith and
service, in particular their efforts in bringing the church closer to the
people and dedication to the spiritual and social wellbeing of the common
people. "As faithful Christians, let us commit ourselves to honoring God
each and every day of our lives through deeds of love and mercy. As
religious and lay leaders, let us commit ourselves wholly to the best
interests of the people through our faithful and sincere service. And as
faithful Armenians, let us commit ourselves to honoring the religious and
cultural heritage our ancestors fought hard to preserve for all of these
centuries," stated His Eminence, and concluded by calling on the leadership
and membership of St. Garabed Church to renew their efforts and energy and
work together with love, mutual respect, and harmony to make and keep St.
Garabed Church the bedrock and lifeline of the community. 
        His Eminence then blessed a book of synaxis Gospel readings donated
by Mr. Garo Bayramian and his wife Maria, which featured a hand-crafted
cover by Mr. Bayramian. 
        Later in the service, the parish pastor greeted the Prelate and
wished him many more years of fruitful service. At the conclusion of Divine
Liturgy, requiem prayers were offered for benefactors Larry and Seda Barnes.
A reception hosted by the Parish Council followed at "Koujakian" Hall.
        The Prelate's visit also afforded the opportunity to meet with the
Parish Pastor and Parish Council to discuss the Church's future endeavors. 
***
HONORARY CONSUL ADROUSHAN ARMENIAN GIFTS COLLECTABLE STAMPS FROM THE FIRST
REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA TO THE PRELACY
        On Thursday, , H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, welcomed the visit of Mr. Adroushan Armenian, Honorary Consul of
the Republic of Armenia in Las Vegas. 
        Mr. Armenian had come to present a set of ten uncirculated
collectable stamps issued by the first Republic of Armenia to the Prelacy.
Mr. Armenian recently gifted the same set of stamps to a number of
institutions in Armenia and locally.
      Given that Mr. Armenian is also a Parish Council member at St. Garabed
Church in Las Vegas, the Prelate and guest discussed the parish's endeavors
and reviewed the 5th anniversary celebration which was held the prior
weekend.
        The Prelate thanked Mr. Armenian for the precious gift and wished
him continued success in his service to our church and nation.
***

Armenia attaches importance to status and security of Artsakh people – foreign minister

Hunanian Jack
| 15:17 | June 7 2018
Category
Politics

The Armenian side attaches importance to the status and security of the Artsakh people in the settlement process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said during a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on June 7.

He said during the meeting with FM Lavrov they discussed a number of issues of international and regional agenda. “A special attention was paid on the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. We highly appreciate Russia’s contribution with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs aimed at settling the conflict exclusively through peaceful means. We are ready to continue the joint efforts directed for the progress of the negotiation process. At this stage we work on the continuation of the negotiation process”, the FM said, adding that the Armenian side attaches importance to the status and security of the people of Artsakh. “The negotiations are directed for solving these issues”, the FM said.

FM Mnatsakanyan said during the meeting with Lavrov it was stated that the Armenian side is inclined to develop the multilateral partnership.

“During the meeting I highlighted the importance Armenia attaches to the strategic partnership with Russia. We plan to continue that partnership later based on the principles that exist in the 1997 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance”, the FM said.

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said the mutual ties between the two peoples have been as example of constant friendship, mutual understanding, sincere respect and mutual assistance.

“The intensity and depth in our relations really oblige to make new efforts to ensure their continuation”, the Armenian FM said.

He added that the sides plan to further deepen and expand the close cooperation in all spheres, including within the CSTO and the EAEU. “These plans have already been announced during the Sochi meeting of the Armenian Prime Minister and the Russian President. We are happy that the dynamics of these meetings is being maintained, we expect new meetings in the nearest future”, he said.

The minister also thanked Sergey Lavrov for the warm reception and constructive dialogue and stated: “We look forward to see you in Yerevan”.

Sports: FIFA: Armenia drops in world ranking

Hunanian Jack
News.am, Armenia
June 7 2018
keyboard_arrow_left
keyboard_arrow_right

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) on Thursday issued its new World Ranking.

Accordingly, the Armenian national squad ranked 100th in the FIFA standings.

Reigning world champions Germany still top the FIFA World Ranking where Brazil are still second, and Belgium—still third.

The top ten includes Portugal, Argentina, Switzerland, France, Poland, Chile and Spain.

As reported earlier, Armenian squad has played friendlies with Moldova (0-0) and Malta (1-1).

PM Pashinyan presents report on money donated for “Velvet Revolution”

Hunanian Jack
  • 16:41 | June 4,2018 | Social
  • Armenian:
  • Rus

The Prime Minister has presented a huge list of the people who have sent money for the “Velvet Revolution”.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan once again touched upon the “Velvet Revolution” in Armenia.

“It’s the preliminary-copmplete report of donations made for the non-violent, velvet, popular revolution,” he wrote and published the report.

Above Politics, Story of a ReLOVEution

Hunanian Jack
El Vaquero: Glendale Community College
Thursday
Above Politics, Story of a ReLOVEution
 
by Marian Sahakyan
 
 
On March 31, he gathered his thoughts, his soon-to-be revolutionary comrades and embarked on a journey, many believed would fail.
 
For the next 14 days, the group would walk some 200 kilometers, covering villages and towns stretching between Gyumri and Yerevan, the two largest Armenian cities.
 
Nikol Pashinyan, 42, believed that people reserved the right to elect their own officials and leaders and for the past 20 years of his career as an investigative journalist and politician, he spoke up against the corrupt, authoritarian leading regime of Armenia.
 
The fact that Pashinyan was an oppositioner became clear at a very young age. His kindergarten teacher described him as an outspoken young man, who often turned other students against supervisors.
 
As his father, Vova Pashinyan contested, teenager Nikol organized anti-Soviet rallies in their small hometown of Ijevan, talking about his hopes of one day bringing Armenia to its own free state.
 
As a journalism student at Yerevan State University, then 20-year-old Pashinyan compiled screeds exploiting the corruption that rich politicians and businessmen often engaged in. As a result, he got kicked out of university in 1995, failing to receive his red diploma.
 
This did not stop the man’s agenda, as he was setting himself up to change everything.
 
At war with fraud
 
Pashinyan’s battle with the Republican Party of Armenia started many years ago, though took its highest peak in 2008, when Serzh Sargsyan ironically earned the people’s vote in a fraudulent election, taking the title of president. The future was not looking too bright for the country, to say the least.
 
Pashinyan got involved with other opposition leaders and started to organize peaceful rallies against the newly elected president. All of this went downhill on March 1, 2008. The date became a dark day of history in the ex-Soviet country, as 10 people died in clashes between police forces and supporters of the defeated candidate.
 
Pashinyan’s name became closely related to the tragic events of that day as authorities accused him of seeking to seize power, by the provocation of mass violence. Of course, these were accusations that were not true.
 
After hiding for months, the activist turned himself in, creating one of the most controversial cases of political imprisonment. From 2009-2011, he spent time in jail, next to criminals and killers, but was let out under a prisoner amnesty scheme.
 
He was elected into parliament the next year in 2012, and has been fighting against corruption since.
 
Transparency
 
As previous administrations spent country money on fancy vacations cars and homes, making it none of the people’s business about where this money came from. Pashinyan came in and took this by storm and proved that people do have the right to know it all.
 
During the recent movement, which he called a ‘Velvet Revolution’ people donated money to be used for the moment. What Pashinyan was out to do next, left the people nothing short of shocked and surprised. Pashinyan and his team put a list together of all the donated money and where it was spent. They later published these on Facebook and other media outlets.
 
When he was announced prime minister of Armenia, after the month-long successful peaceful protest movement, Pashinyan got to work. He went live on Facebook and showed the people everything that his new office featured.
 
This had become a tradition since the early revolutionary days, or rather an expectation that the prime minister would go live on Facebook to talk, announce his plans, tell success stories and catch up with the people.
 
Tert.am/ Courtesy Photo
The message on Pashinyan’s cap became a favorite among protesters, encouraging them to act with ‘spirit.’
 
The people’s man
 
Walking so many kilometers under the sun, he had shed his beer belly quite a bit, gotten a nice tan and a beard. The 42-year-old now rocks a new salt-and-pepper beard, which surprisingly made him more approachable. People even launched a campaign to encourage him to keep the beard, which he did during the past week of his time in office.
 
His signature camouflage t-shirt, baseball cap and rucksack became a symbol of revolution. His incredible sense of humor allowed for media to take a tour of his backpack. As he described, it had everything he would need. Things like medicine, his laptop and a powerbank phone charger, so he wouldn’t miss a Facebook live with his people.
 
He walked alongside with the people and didn’t put himself before anyone. Even as a prime minister, he often walks around the city, to make sure he has direct contact with the Armenian citizens.
 
He used social media to promote the movement and his plans to the younger generations. He told the people when he made a mistake, along with his ups and all the downs.
 
Pashinyan became the people’s prime minister far before he could get the official title. His charismatic, funny and very simple character, shaped the new Armenian soul, an identity. That of a winner.
 
The future
 
As previous administrations came and went, leaving a large negative impact on the people of the country and its economy, Pashinyan is slowly restoring what was lost.
 
Inviting Daron Acemoglu, a world-renowned economist, to come up with strategies to not only save but to grow the economy.
 
On multiple occasions, he has addressed the Diasporans, encouraging them to start investing money in the country. He also promised that these people, who were forcibly pushed out of their country, due to economic, political and household instability, will come back home, to a new Armenia.
 
“I am serving the Republic of Armenia, and the people of Armenia,” he said during his first speech as newly elected prime minister. “Your victory is not that I became prime minister, but the fact that you chose who did.”
 
All eyes in the world are on Pashinyan, as he makes important changes to the far-too-corrupt system that he was handed. In the past week, he has gotten rid of old ministers and assigned young, innovative and smart individuals to these posts.
 
As we all sit in our homes and watch what goes on, we must realize that this is just the beginning of the big Armenian revolution and hope for the best for where it is headed.
 

PM candidate Nikol Pashinyan introduces his approaches on Armenia’s foreign policy in Parliament

Hunanian Jack
ArmenPress, Armenia
May 1 2018
PM candidate Nikol Pashinyan introduces his approaches on Armenia’s foreign policy in Parliament



YEREVAN, MAY 1, ARMENPRESS. Nikol Pashinyan, candidate for Prime Minister of Armenia, assures that if elected as PM Armenia will remain in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), reports Armenpress.

During the debate of the election of the Prime Minister in the Parliament on May 1, Pashinyan in his remarks said this stance derives not from the taste of someone, from the change of position of someone, but from the “logic of the pan-national movement that brought victory to the Armenian people”.

“We have said that thanks to this movement the people came to power, and the people, by demanding a lot of changes in the field of organization of domestic life, justice, legality, protection of rights, social insurance, didn’t demand and do not demand any change in the foreign policy field. We have to take into account the people’s such message”, Pashinyan said.

He added that they have considered and consider Russia as a strategic ally, and the pan-national movement doesn’t create any threat for the Armenian-Russian relations. “We attach a specific importance to the Armenia-Iran and Armenia-Georgia relations. There is no doubt that this political process will give a new impetus and energy to our relations with our neighbors. We will deepen the relations with the European Union and its member states. We will do everything to eliminate EU visa requirement for the Armenian citizens. We expect to launch the talks over this topic in the nearest future”, Nikol Pashinyan said.

He said the quick ratification and implementation of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) derives from Armenia’s interests.

Pashinyan also touched upon the relations with the United States, stating that the friendly ties with this country need a new impetus. “We aim to take concrete and practical steps to boost the partnership with the US in different spheres. We will deepen the cooperation with China and consider this direction of the foreign policy very important. We attach a great importance to the upcoming Francophonie summit in Yerevan which, undoubtedly, will be held at a high level. Armenia fully is ready to assume the chairmanship of this leading international organization”, he said.

The PM candidate highlighted that they are committed to the process of international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, as they are convinced that it is possible to prevent the repetition of such crimes only through condemning them. “Armenia will continue playing a leading role in the prevention of crimes against humanity and genocides”, he said.

He said in the peaceful settlement process of the Karabakh conflict, the international recognition of the Artsakh people’s indivisible right to independently determine their fate and exercise that right is vital. “In terms of the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, we are committed exclusively to the peaceful settlement which must be based on the principle of the equal rights and self-determination of peoples. It’s necessary to give new impetus to the process of international recognition of Artsakh which must become one of the key functions of the Diaspora ministry”, the PM candidate stated.

The extraordinary sitting has kicked off in the Armenian parliament where lawmakers are debating the election of a new Prime Minister.

The only nominated candidate for Prime Minister is opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan.

Pashinyan was nominated by the opposition Yelk faction.

Two other factions – Tsarukyan and the ARF – have endorsed the opposition MPs candidacy.

Pashinyan will need at least 53 votes to be elected Prime Minister, which means he will require at least 6 votes from the ruling party.

There are 4 factions in the Armenian parliament. The Republican Party (RPA) faction, the ruling party of Armenia, has 58 seats in the 105-seat unicameral parliament of Armenia – known as the National Assembly. The ARF faction – (Armenian Revolutionary Federation aka Dashnaktsutyun), has 7 seats. The Tsarukyan alliance has 31 seats, and the Yelk faction has 9 seats.

English –translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan