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ARMENIAN EX-FMS' SPEAK OF DOMESTIC SITUATION, LOST OPPORTUNITIES
21:39 * 13.02.14
If there were a political counterbalance inside Armenia, the country's
would be in a different situation in the context of its accession
to the Customs Union, Armenia's ex-FM Vartan Oskanian stated at the
discussion 'Armenia: the present and future" held at the Civilitas
Foundation.
According to him, Armenian-Russian relations are not at the same
strategic level, and the domestic political situation in Armenia is
the cause of the current situation.
"Our economic situation is not favorable, we have problems of
emigration, violations of legal and democratic standards," Oskanian
said.
"We have a one-party system, not much has changed since the
Soviet times. Others say they are free, but they can never be in
power. The Armenian president's positions would have been stronger
on September 3 if there had been a political counterbalance inside
the country. Even if the president was under Russia's pressure,
he might have maneuvered," he added.
If there had been a political counterbalance, Armenia's leadership
would have been able to oppose the pressure due to Armenia's
Parliament.
"We could have blocked that in Parliament, but we had no
counterbalance," Oskanian said.
"We are not confident in ourselves. We may have been shown Georgia's
example. But we should not forget that Georgia's task was integration
into NATO and the European Union."
The problem is that people that do not want to lose what they have come
to power in Armenia. "Russia can do whatever it wants because it has
huge resources. But we have no resources. And it is the people that
gained independence that have the right to change the situation in
the country. Personal interests must be put aside, and the country's
problems must be dealt with," Oskanian said.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is impossible to settle even if Turkey
re-opens the border, unless the conflicting parties are ready for
concessions.
Vahan Papazyan, who was Armenia's FM in 1993-96, said that Armenia
did not lose its independence on September 3.
"Politics always allows for maneuvers," he said as he commented on
the opinions that the Customs Union is economic cooperation. Rather,
it is political consolidation, he said.
Alexander Arzumanyan, who was Armenia's FM in 1996-98, noted that
Armenia has been seeking independence of Russian influence since it
gained independence. And nothing has changed, he said.
"Armenia's political elite is for the Customs Union. It is a disgrace
for us all," he said.
Armenian News - Tert.am
21:39 * 13.02.14
If there were a political counterbalance inside Armenia, the country's
would be in a different situation in the context of its accession
to the Customs Union, Armenia's ex-FM Vartan Oskanian stated at the
discussion 'Armenia: the present and future" held at the Civilitas
Foundation.
According to him, Armenian-Russian relations are not at the same
strategic level, and the domestic political situation in Armenia is
the cause of the current situation.
"Our economic situation is not favorable, we have problems of
emigration, violations of legal and democratic standards," Oskanian
said.
"We have a one-party system, not much has changed since the
Soviet times. Others say they are free, but they can never be in
power. The Armenian president's positions would have been stronger
on September 3 if there had been a political counterbalance inside
the country. Even if the president was under Russia's pressure,
he might have maneuvered," he added.
If there had been a political counterbalance, Armenia's leadership
would have been able to oppose the pressure due to Armenia's
Parliament.
"We could have blocked that in Parliament, but we had no
counterbalance," Oskanian said.
"We are not confident in ourselves. We may have been shown Georgia's
example. But we should not forget that Georgia's task was integration
into NATO and the European Union."
The problem is that people that do not want to lose what they have come
to power in Armenia. "Russia can do whatever it wants because it has
huge resources. But we have no resources. And it is the people that
gained independence that have the right to change the situation in
the country. Personal interests must be put aside, and the country's
problems must be dealt with," Oskanian said.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is impossible to settle even if Turkey
re-opens the border, unless the conflicting parties are ready for
concessions.
Vahan Papazyan, who was Armenia's FM in 1993-96, said that Armenia
did not lose its independence on September 3.
"Politics always allows for maneuvers," he said as he commented on
the opinions that the Customs Union is economic cooperation. Rather,
it is political consolidation, he said.
Alexander Arzumanyan, who was Armenia's FM in 1996-98, noted that
Armenia has been seeking independence of Russian influence since it
gained independence. And nothing has changed, he said.
"Armenia's political elite is for the Customs Union. It is a disgrace
for us all," he said.
Armenian News - Tert.am