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Raffi Hovannisyan. `If they are going to put pressure on us with the
Association Agreement in the issue of Artsakh, then, no.'
July 19 2013
Today, Raffi Hovannisyan stated at the conference in the `Noah's Ark'
that Russia's recent steps that were obviously against Armenia,
starting from selling of `Smerch', imposing the Eurasian Union, price
rise in gas and ending with discrimination against Hrachya
Harutyunyan, is the fault of our governments. He said he is
criticizing Russia for all these, because unlike other countries, we
were expecting more, a special treatment from our strategic called
ally. But I condemn our authorities for being completely dependent
from Russia, and accordingly Russia for urging such treatment against
us. The leader of the `Heritage' Party emphasizes that if it
continues, there will be not anti-Russian moods, but `Armenian
necessity', and Armenia will need to terminate the CSTO membership.
`If Russia, our strategic partner, sends billions of dollars arms to
the state that desires to wipe Armenia and Artsakh off the map, it is
not a strategic partnership, and, if it goes like that, Armenia will
need to review the CSTO membership. And treat CSTO in the same way as
NATO. I have said that Armenia's future system must be based only on
bilateral strategic relations, Russia, China, India, America, Europe
and so on.' As for the Association Agreement with the EU, Mr.
Hovannisyan, on behalf of his party, said that they support initiating
the Association Agreement, moreover, they are not against the European
initiatives in terms of observation, and having permanent presence
with regard to the Customs Union, but if there is a choice, we must
choose in favor of the Association Agreement. Anyway, Mr.Hovhannissyan
has a reservation in this issue. `We must see as to what this
Association Agreement represents itself, what is written in this
Agreement. If it is only a settlement of the EU-Armenia relations in
trade, economic and other fields, then, yes, we agree in principle. If
the agreement states that Turkey must call off the blockade without
preconditions, then, yes. But if this agreement will be used as a tool
for putting pressure on Armenia in the issue of Artsakh and other
issues, then, no.' In this regard, Mr. Hovannisyan said that it would
be preferable that Armenia recognizes the independence of Nagorno
Karabakh, and self-determination before signing of the Agreement. `If
there is something written in the agreement about the Madrid
principles and territorial integrity, then the territorial integrity
must also refer to the newest states, including Artsakh, therefore, we
need to recognize Artsakh's independence.' Melania BARSEGHYAN
Read more at: http://en.aravot.am/2013/07/19/155588/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Association Agreement in the issue of Artsakh, then, no.'
July 19 2013
Today, Raffi Hovannisyan stated at the conference in the `Noah's Ark'
that Russia's recent steps that were obviously against Armenia,
starting from selling of `Smerch', imposing the Eurasian Union, price
rise in gas and ending with discrimination against Hrachya
Harutyunyan, is the fault of our governments. He said he is
criticizing Russia for all these, because unlike other countries, we
were expecting more, a special treatment from our strategic called
ally. But I condemn our authorities for being completely dependent
from Russia, and accordingly Russia for urging such treatment against
us. The leader of the `Heritage' Party emphasizes that if it
continues, there will be not anti-Russian moods, but `Armenian
necessity', and Armenia will need to terminate the CSTO membership.
`If Russia, our strategic partner, sends billions of dollars arms to
the state that desires to wipe Armenia and Artsakh off the map, it is
not a strategic partnership, and, if it goes like that, Armenia will
need to review the CSTO membership. And treat CSTO in the same way as
NATO. I have said that Armenia's future system must be based only on
bilateral strategic relations, Russia, China, India, America, Europe
and so on.' As for the Association Agreement with the EU, Mr.
Hovannisyan, on behalf of his party, said that they support initiating
the Association Agreement, moreover, they are not against the European
initiatives in terms of observation, and having permanent presence
with regard to the Customs Union, but if there is a choice, we must
choose in favor of the Association Agreement. Anyway, Mr.Hovhannissyan
has a reservation in this issue. `We must see as to what this
Association Agreement represents itself, what is written in this
Agreement. If it is only a settlement of the EU-Armenia relations in
trade, economic and other fields, then, yes, we agree in principle. If
the agreement states that Turkey must call off the blockade without
preconditions, then, yes. But if this agreement will be used as a tool
for putting pressure on Armenia in the issue of Artsakh and other
issues, then, no.' In this regard, Mr. Hovannisyan said that it would
be preferable that Armenia recognizes the independence of Nagorno
Karabakh, and self-determination before signing of the Agreement. `If
there is something written in the agreement about the Madrid
principles and territorial integrity, then the territorial integrity
must also refer to the newest states, including Artsakh, therefore, we
need to recognize Artsakh's independence.' Melania BARSEGHYAN
Read more at: http://en.aravot.am/2013/07/19/155588/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress