ARF's Hovannesian Officially Appointed Germany Ambassador
http://asbarez.com/117838/arf%E2%80%99s-hovannesian-officially-appointed-germany-ambassador/
Monday, December 30th, 2013
ARF's Vahan Hovannesian was appointed Armenia's Ambassador to Germany
over the weekend
YEREVAN (Combined Sources) - The imminent appointment of Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Bureau member and parliamentary leader Vahan
Hovannesian as Armenia's Ambassador to Germany was made official over
the weekend, reported Armenpress.
President Serzh Sarkisian issued decrees over the weekend appointing
Hovannesian to the post and relieving his predecessor Armen
Martirosayn from the same position.
As rumors of the ARF leader's appointment started circulating in the
Armenian media, Hovannesian confirmed to Yerkir.am in September that
he was approached by the Sarkisian administration to represent Armenia
as an ambassador.
In an interview with Yerkir.am in September, Hovanessian responded to
questions, which aimed to quell rampant rumors in the Armenian media,
including speculation by some outlets that Hovannesian's reported
appointment is signaling a shift in the party's political posturing
and its role as an opposition party.
`The offer was made directly to me and not to the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation,' explained Hovannesian at the time, adding
that the suggestion does not aim to establish a new agreement with the
party, nor does it aim to advance cooperation with the ARF.
`I repeat, the offer has been made to me and I have agreed. Naturally,
I have presented this issue to the party, which has also given its
blessing,' said Hovanessian.
The ARF leader said that administration's offer to him stemmed from
his years of experience in foreign policy where he has led the
Armenian parliamentary delegation to EuroNest and his current
co-chairmanship of the same body. Hovanessian has also led active
roles in Armenia's delegation to the NATO Partnership for Peace
Program and the European Union's Eastern Partnership Program.
Hovanessian also explained that the offer was a practical one and does
not signal a change in his political views, which have been clearly
articulated during his tenure as a member of parliament.
`I am certain the person making this offer is well-aware of my
positions and posturing,' said Hovanessian who also at the time called
media reports that allege a shift in the ARF's policy `wrong' and
`deliberate, in order to confuse the public.'
Hovannesian was asked about his and the ARF's very public
disagreements with the administration, specifically as it related to
the Armenia-Turkey protocols and the party's call for Foreign Minister
Eduard Nalbandian's resignation.
Hovanessian explained that the disagreements remain not only on the
matter of the protocols but also on other fronts, including a proposal
to sign a memorandum of understanding on military cooperation between
Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
`The work of an ARF leader in the diplomatic arena in no way deters
the party,' explained Hovanessian, adding that the work of a diplomat,
under ethical mandates, assumes a level of restrictions, which is very
normal.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
http://asbarez.com/117838/arf%E2%80%99s-hovannesian-officially-appointed-germany-ambassador/
Monday, December 30th, 2013
ARF's Vahan Hovannesian was appointed Armenia's Ambassador to Germany
over the weekend
YEREVAN (Combined Sources) - The imminent appointment of Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Bureau member and parliamentary leader Vahan
Hovannesian as Armenia's Ambassador to Germany was made official over
the weekend, reported Armenpress.
President Serzh Sarkisian issued decrees over the weekend appointing
Hovannesian to the post and relieving his predecessor Armen
Martirosayn from the same position.
As rumors of the ARF leader's appointment started circulating in the
Armenian media, Hovannesian confirmed to Yerkir.am in September that
he was approached by the Sarkisian administration to represent Armenia
as an ambassador.
In an interview with Yerkir.am in September, Hovanessian responded to
questions, which aimed to quell rampant rumors in the Armenian media,
including speculation by some outlets that Hovannesian's reported
appointment is signaling a shift in the party's political posturing
and its role as an opposition party.
`The offer was made directly to me and not to the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation,' explained Hovannesian at the time, adding
that the suggestion does not aim to establish a new agreement with the
party, nor does it aim to advance cooperation with the ARF.
`I repeat, the offer has been made to me and I have agreed. Naturally,
I have presented this issue to the party, which has also given its
blessing,' said Hovanessian.
The ARF leader said that administration's offer to him stemmed from
his years of experience in foreign policy where he has led the
Armenian parliamentary delegation to EuroNest and his current
co-chairmanship of the same body. Hovanessian has also led active
roles in Armenia's delegation to the NATO Partnership for Peace
Program and the European Union's Eastern Partnership Program.
Hovanessian also explained that the offer was a practical one and does
not signal a change in his political views, which have been clearly
articulated during his tenure as a member of parliament.
`I am certain the person making this offer is well-aware of my
positions and posturing,' said Hovanessian who also at the time called
media reports that allege a shift in the ARF's policy `wrong' and
`deliberate, in order to confuse the public.'
Hovannesian was asked about his and the ARF's very public
disagreements with the administration, specifically as it related to
the Armenia-Turkey protocols and the party's call for Foreign Minister
Eduard Nalbandian's resignation.
Hovanessian explained that the disagreements remain not only on the
matter of the protocols but also on other fronts, including a proposal
to sign a memorandum of understanding on military cooperation between
Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
`The work of an ARF leader in the diplomatic arena in no way deters
the party,' explained Hovanessian, adding that the work of a diplomat,
under ethical mandates, assumes a level of restrictions, which is very
normal.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress