Nikol Pashinyan’s speech in the National Assembly once again revealed the real political agenda of post-election Armenia.

After the elections, when the public is waiting for clear plans for the country’s development, strengthening of security and solving economic problems, Pashinyan’s speech is dominated by completely different topics: the fight against the opposition, political labels and threats of repression.

It is difficult to find any strategic idea about the future of Armenia in Pashinyan’s speeches. Instead, he continues to divide society into “rights” and “wrongs,” “peacemakers” and “warmakers.” According to his assessment, more than half a million citizens who chose the opposition actually voted in favor of the war, the continuation of the Karabakh movement and the destruction of peace.

This is not only a political manipulation, but also an expression of the crisis of state thinking.

The head of a democratic state is obliged to represent the whole society, not to turn hundreds of thousands of citizens into political targets.

Pashinyan’s reference to the visit of Hikmet Hajiyev, assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, to Dilijan deserves special attention. Pashinyan actually hinted that these contacts are an important component of the peace process and war risk management.

However, he again tries to present the reality upside down. It was his pre-election campaign that labeled the opposition as a “three-headed party of war”, creating the impression that the main threat to peace is not in the external environment, but inside Armenia. That policy gave Baku an additional opportunity to use Armenia’s internal divisions and the political vulnerability of the government to serve its own agenda.

Today, when making new demands on Armenia, Azerbaijan can refer not only to its power advantage, but also to the fact that the Armenian government itself represents hundreds of thousands of votes of its own citizens as a threat to peace. This is a consequence of Pashinyan’s political criminal mistake.

In the current situation, Pashinyan’s behavior makes his new strategy more and more obvious: to show external actors, and especially Baku, that he is in full control of the domestic political situation. For that purpose, he uses increasingly aggressive rhetoric towards the opposition, effectively heralding a new phase of political pressure.

Possible criminal proceedings, arrests or other pressures against Samvel Karapetyan, Gagik Tsarukyan, Robert Kocharyan and other opposition figures can be presented under various fictitious pretexts, but their political context will be difficult to hide.

However, even the most extensive repressions cannot solve the fundamental problems facing Armenia. They cannot restore public trust, ensure economic development, strengthen the country’s security, or replace effective public administration.

Pashinyan’s main challenge is the impasse formed as a result of his own policies.

The fall of Pashinyan’s power is essentially a matter of time. However, the main mission of the responsible political forces today is to prevent the state and society from falling under the ruins of the possible collapse of Pashinyan’s power. Pashinyan will lose power, but Armenia should not lose its stability, security and development perspective.

Political scientist Suren Surenyants

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After the June 7 elections, we have entered an unprecedented reality that requires a solution. It will not be possible to forget it, not to see it. The issue of re-voting in three precincts requires a solution, because it is not only about three precincts, and it is not only about PAP. It is a much deeper problem. I will try to clarify a few questions on the eve of applying to the CC.

This is an attack on democracy

The source of power is the people, not Vahagn Hovakimyan. When issues affecting election results are resolved in such a way that voters are denied the opportunity to express their voice again, trust in the democratic system itself is at risk. The problem is not only about three polling stations or a few thousand votes. the problem is the readiness of the state to respect or ignore the will of the citizens. If voter’s voice can become secondary compared to administrative decisions, then it is already an accident of democracy.

The only legal solution to this situation is to conduct re-voting in the three polling stations as required by law

When the results of voting in three polling stations are declared invalid, the only solution of the law and democratic logic is re-voting, and not political interpretations, nor the discretion of officials, nor half-baked legal justifications, but re-voting. Each citizen’s vote should be properly reflected in the final results. It is not the citizen’s fault that the CEC is not capable of organizing normal elections. The essence of the problem is that in a democratic state, the value of citizens’ votes cannot be determined by the interpretation of the administrative body.

Which forces should be in the National Assembly should be decided exclusively by the voters and not by Vahagn Hovakimyan

The composition of the National Assembly should be formed exclusively by the results of citizens’ voting. No official has the authority to influence with his decisions which political forces will appear in the parliament and which will not. When decisions affecting the results of the elections are made without going back to the voters, it inevitably gives the impression that the will of the people is being replaced by official discretion.

And here the main question arises: does the power in Armenia belong to the people or to a group of officials who decide which votes are important and which are not?

It is unacceptable when the final result of the electoral process is determined not at the ballot box, but in the offices of officials. It is unacceptable that the will of thousands of citizens is ignored just because that will may be inconvenient for the government.

This issue does not concern only one party or one election result. It concerns the future of Armenia and democratic culture. If we accept today that the fate of citizens’ votes can be decided without them, then tomorrow this will become a pattern in any election.

Elinar Vardanyan, Member of Parliament of the Armenia Alliance

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On June 17, RA Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisoghomoyan had a meeting with Monica Juma, Director General of the United Nations Office, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna. This is reported by the RA MFA.

The interlocutors highly appreciated the cooperation between Armenia and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The willingness to further expand cooperation in the fields of addressing transnational crimes, improving the criminal justice system and combating cybercrimes was emphasized.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia emphasized the importance of the expert support and continuous implementation of programs by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, aimed at the development of institutional capacities of Armenia.

Thoughts were also exchanged within the framework of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity to be held in Armenia and the prospects for implementing joint initiatives ahead of it.

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The historically shameful decision of the Central Electoral Commission, which deprived the “Prosperous Armenia” party of its well-earned seat in the National Assembly, has consequences that are much wider than the fate of one political force. The question is much more important. it turns out that the expression of the will of the citizens in today’s Armenia can be reviewed by an administrative decision after the elections.

If the citizen is not sure that his vote has a final effect on the result, the legitimacy of the entire political system is threatened. However, the problem is not only that.

Actually, not only one party is expelled from the parliament. The political alternative is pushed out in the issues of foreign policy, security and the future of Armenian statehood. We clearly record. This campaign against the PAP has nothing to do with Russia-West, the false opposition of the authorities. PAP has always advocated deepening of relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia and the West.

The current authorities have consistently tried to present the internal political election as a contrast between Russia and the West. However, for the society of Armenia, the issue was not limited to such a simplified formulation.

The real choice was about different models of security and development of the country.

“Prosperous Armenia” advocated a balanced foreign policy based on cooperation with key international actors. We were based on the conviction that Armenia should not become a platform for geopolitical conflict, but should be a state capable of building realistic and mutually beneficial relations in all directions, guided exclusively by national interests.

The idea of ​​guaranteed peace by restoring the disturbed balance in the region is of particular importance.

The global Armenian Diaspora is also an important component of our approach. Millions of Armenians living in different countries should be a bridge between Armenia and the countries where they live. For this reason, attempts to present such a policy as an effort to become an “outpost” of any force do not stand up to serious analysis.

Another deep problem

Democracy is one of the most effective forms of government not only because it gives citizens the opportunity to choose the government. Its strength lies in the fact that security, justice and stability are ensured through the balance of branches of government and state institutions.

Where independent institutions exist, power is limited by law. Where there is political competition, the possibility of strategic mistakes decreases.

We see a worrying trend in today’s Armenia. the most important state decisions were concentrated within the framework of one political center. Parliament, judiciary and other institutions have lost their ability to be a real counterweight to the executive power. It is in such an environment that decisions are made that seemed impossible a few years ago.

A strong state is not built on the monopoly of one political force or the irreplaceability of one political course. An effective state is built on the competition of ideas, the existence of different approaches to security and development, and the ability of society to democratically correct the mistakes of the government.

That is why today’s issue is not only the results of today’s elections. The question is different. what will Armenia be like tomorrow?

A state where different political viewpoints have the right to be represented and participate in decision-making, or a state where the political system becomes more and more dependent on decisions taken from one center?

History shows that democracy does not weaken only at the moment when elections are formally abolished. It also weakens when democratic external procedures are maintained, but political balance, competition, and real limits on power gradually disappear.

That is why today it is not just about one party. It is about preserving the principles that ensure the stability of the Armenian statehood.

When the political alternative is pushed out of the parliament, it is not the opposition that loses. The system of checks and balances is failing. Democracy is losing. And in the end, the state loses. The CC has a unique chance to restore justice, and must realize the listed realities.


Former Foreign Minister of RA, founding member of the All-Armenian Council of Diplomats, Ara Ayvazyan

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In fact, the President of Azerbaijan, in the form of his aide Hajiyev, is in control of them in order to manage the risks of “peace” and fulfill Baku’s demands.

Pashinyan’s statements in this regard in the National Assembly substantiate the suspicions and claims that Baku is interfering in the internal affairs of Armenia, and they are terrorizing their own people internally in order to dispel Azerbaijani anger and anxiety.

They not only change the constitution at the request of Azerbaijan, build the negotiations according to the mood of Baku, but also put the repressive apparatus into operation to alleviate the concerns of Azerbaijan.

Tigran Abrahamyan, secretary of “I have an honor” faction

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The topic of Western Azerbaijan is of strategic importance. Do you know who announced this? Minister of Education and Science of Azerbaijan Emin Amrullaev. Moreover, according to him, this issue plays a fundamental role in the matter of national identity and youth education.

He announced these thoughts within the framework of the third festival-conference on the theme of Western Azerbaijan taking place in Ordubad. Let me remind you that the Ministry of Education and Science of Azerbaijan is a state institution in the state structure, not a public one. It is a portfolio of the government of Azerbaijan. Here, the holder of that portfolio says that the topic of Western Azerbaijan is strategic and declares that the role of Ilham Aliyev is too big in that matter.

Moreover, that minister gives the example of the return of Azerbaijanis to “Eastern Zangezur”, saying that any goal can be realized in case of consistent work.

In other words, he considers the goal of the so-called “return” to “Western Azerbaijan” to be realizable, in case of consistent work.

The words of the member of the government of Azerbaijan are heard immediately after the words that Nikol Pashinyan voiced the day before that the subject of the settlement of Azerbaijanis in Armenia is fictitious.

Well, Nikol Pashinyan has the opportunity to instruct a member of his government, the minister of KGSMS, or at least the spokesperson of the ministry, to respond to his Azerbaijani colleague. Although, Nikol Pashinyan can “crush” only the opposition, and he can only entertain the government of Azerbaijan.

Analyst Hakob Badalyan

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The Armenian government has announced new measures to support local greenhouse farms in response to Russia’s ban on the export of Armenian agricultural products. The authorities plan to extend the loan repayment terms and provide farmers with an additional grace period.

The details of the anti-crisis program were presented by the Minister of Economy at the June 18 executive session Gevorg Papoyan. According to him, this step is aimed at mitigating the problems caused in the agrarian sector as a result of foreign trade barriers. With the new regulations, those economic operators whose state monitoring will prove the fact of greenhouse construction, production and harvest sale by July 1, will benefit from significant benefits. In particular, the current maximum eight-year loan repayment period will be extended by another six months.

Along with that, half a year will be added to the established twelve-month grace period, during which the greenhouse owners will be exempted from paying the principal amount and interest.

The minister also referred to the results of state programs in the field of agriculture, noting that twenty support contracts were signed in previous years. Within their framework, modern greenhouses with a total area of ​​more than 91 hectares have been established and are under construction, one third of which has already been put into operation and produced this year.

Despite the closure of the Russian market, Armenian producers continue to actively diversify the geography of supplies. Only during the first seventeen days of June, more than 400 tons of greenhouse vegetables and strawberries were exported from the country, as well as about 1.8 million flowers. The product is successfully sold in the markets of fifteen countries, covering the European Union, the Middle East and the post-Soviet area, including France, the Netherlands, the UAE and Georgia.

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RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan considers the limitations of the Russian market and the expected financial support from the EU not as a reason for additional tension, but as a strategic opportunity to diversify Armenian exports.

Referring to the publication of the British Financial Times periodical that Brussels is going to provide emergency aid to Yerevan to compensate for the damages of the Russian sanctions, the head of the government thanked the European partners for their prompt response. He emphasized that the authorities do not consider the closure of traditional markets as an ultimatum, but rather as an incentive to look for new directions. According to the Prime Minister, international support together with the state budget toolkit gives the opportunity to provide more targeted assistance to businessmen.

Evaluating the intermediate results of the reorientation of the economy, Pashinyan noted that the daily work already gives tangible results. The geography of supplies has been expanded by dozens of new countries, most of which previously had a zero level of trade turnover. The prime minister stressed that now the main challenge of Armenian business is not to find buyers, but to significantly increase production capacities to meet the high demand for new and long-term contracts.

In response to the journalists’ observation that a large amount of agricultural products are spoiled due to export problems, the head of the government urged not to dramatize the situation. He clarified that certain loss of perishable products, particularly apricots or flowers, is an inevitable part of any agricultural or production process. According to Pashinyan, such normal losses have occurred in the past as well, it’s just that now they are receiving exaggerated media attention.

Since June 12, Moscow, against the background of growing political differences with Yerevan, has completely banned the import and transit of all sub-quarantine products from Armenia. The restrictions were imposed by “Rosselkhoznadzor” after the discovery of a dangerous pest (capra beetle) and complaints about the phytosanitary control of the Armenian side.

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RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan denied the criticisms regarding the discussion of Armenia’s internal political issues with Azerbaijan, describing the process as a standard diplomatic practice aimed at managing regional risks and avoiding escalation.

During the briefing held on June 18, the head of the government commented on the Secretary of the Council of Ministers Armen Grigoryan and Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan Hikmet Hajiyev the meeting. Answering the question about the expediency of such contacts in the background of internal political developments, Pashinyan emphasized that he personally instructed to study the possibility of these negotiations in order to prevent a possible escalation of the situation, which was raised by experts.

The Prime Minister categorically disagreed with the view that such a dialogue is humiliating for Yerevan. According to him, the Armenian side did not give any explanation to Baku, but simply clarified its official positions. Pashinyan noted that the very essence of diplomacy is the exchange of first-hand reliable information in order to avoid misunderstandings due to reports from third countries or the media. As an example, he referred to the telephone conversation he had with the Prime Minister of Georgia on the election day, stressing that sharing information with neighbors is an accepted interstate practice.

In addition to general political issues, tens of other topics were also discussed at the Grigoryan-Hajiev meeting, including issues related to border management and persons in prison. The executive head refused to give additional details, reminding that exhaustive information was already provided the previous day in the parliament. Pashinyan also emphasized the fact that the meeting took place directly in Armenia, and not outside the region, evaluating it as an important step in the advancement of the peace process and self-management of risks.

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