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NEWS.am presents top 10 political events in Armenia in 2013
December 28, 2013 | 12:21
YEREVAN. -Armenian News-NEWS.am presents top ten of the most
significant political events of the year.
1. Assassination attempt on Paruyr Hayrikyan
The opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman,
ex-presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan was wounded as a result of
an assassination attempt that was staged against him on January 31 at
around 11:20pm in downtown Yerevan, in front of his home, and during
the campaign season for the presidential election that was held on
February 18. First, he was transferred to capital city Yerevan's Surb
Grigor Lusavorich (Saint Gregory the Illuminator) Medical Center,
where he was operated on. Subsequently, he was taken to the
rehabilitation center of the Armenian Red Cross Society. Next,
Hayrikyan headed to Belgium for treatment, and he underwent a surgery
there.
In the criminal case that was launched into this assassination
attempt, ex-presidential candidate, non-party affiliate, and epic
poetry specialist Vardan Sedrakyan was charged with ordering the
attempted murder of a state, political, or a public figure. Also,
Khachatur Poghosyan was charged with attempted murder of a state,
political, or a public figure; and Samvel Harutyunyan was charged with
orchestrating the attempted murder of a state, political, or a public
figure. Vardan Sedrakyan was sentenced to fourteen years in prison.
2. Presidential elections in Armenia
The sixth presidential elections took place in Armenia on February 18.
Seven candidates were running for the presidential seat: leader of the
ruling Republican Party of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, head of Heritage
Party Raffi Hovannisian, former Prime Minister of Armenia, Chairman of
the Freedom party Hrant Bagratyan, head of the Union for National
Self-Determination Paruyr Hayrikyan, political analyst Andreas
Ghukasyan, former Karabakh Foreign Minister Arman Melikyan and epic
poetry specialist Vardan Sedrakyan.
Serzh Sargsyan won elections in the first round, getting 58.64 percent
of votes. Raffi Hovannisian was the second with 36.75 percent.
3. Hunger strike of Heritage party leader and `barev' revolution
Head of Heritage party Raffi Hovannisian did not recognize the
official results of presidential elections and started mass protest
actions in Liberty Square. Hovannisian declared the start of `barev'
(hello) revolution. On February 21 Hovannisian met with Serzh Sargsyan
behind the closed doors. Being disappointed with the results of their
meeting, Hovannisian declared a hunger strike in Liberty Square that
lasted 21 days. On the day of official inauguration of Sargsyan,
Heritage leader held an alternative inauguration.
4. Elections to the Yerevan Council of Elders
The Republican Party of Armenia was declared the winner of Yerevan
Council elections. Severn political forces participated in the
elections: Republican Party of Armenia, Prosperous Armenia Party,
`Barev [Hello], Yerevan' bloc, Armenian National Congress Party, ARF
Dashnaktsutyun Party, Orinats Yerkir Party and Arakelutyun Party. As a
result, the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, the non-pro-government
Prosperous Armenia Party, and the opposition `Barev, Yerevan' bloc
will comprise the new Council of Elders of Yerevan.
5. Murder of former Gyumri mayoral candidate
Shots were fired nearby Syunik governor Suren Khachatryan's home in
Goris city, on June 1 at around 12:10am. As a result, one person was
killed and two others sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to Goris
hospital. The person who died was Avo Budaghyan, the former Goris
mayoral candidate. The wounded were Budaghyan's brother Artak, and
Nikolay Abrahamyan, a relative and bodyguard of Khachatryan.
Subsequently, the wounded were transferred to capital city Yerevan.
A criminal case was launched on charges of murder and illegal
carrying, possession, and use of arms and ammunition. Two people were
arrested in connection with this incident. One of them was the Syunik
regional governor's son, Tigran Khachatryan, 19, and the other was the
governor's bodyguard, Zarzand Nikoghosyan.
Pursuant to his petition, Suren Khachatryan was relieved of his duties
as Governor of Syunik Region. Artak Budaghyan was charged with an
armed assault. Later the Armenian Defense Ministry's investigation
service decided to stop the criminal proceedings against the son and
bodyguard of ex-governor. The investigation service decided to lift
the restraining order and stop criminal proceedings on the basis of
collected materials and the available evidence
6. Citizens of Armenia launch `We will not pay 150 drams' protest actions
The capital city Yerevan Municipality decision to increase the public
transport fares in the city brought about outbursts. Several groups
were formed in the social networks, and the initiatives were staging
protests and distributing pamphlets against this decision.
In addition, the `Free Car' initiative was launched, along the lines
of which Armenia's numerous well-known personalities, MPs, and
ordinary residents provide - with their own vehicles - free transportation
to the people. The municipality was forced to cancel the decision.
7. Armenia on the way to Customs Union
During his visit to Moscow on September 3, President Serzh Sargsyan
declared Armenia's intention to join the Customs Union, and then
participate in the formation of Eurasian Union. This statement put an
end to the negotiations on the Association Agreement and DCFTA with
the EU that lasted 3.5 years and had to be initialed in November
during the Vilnius summit of Eastern Partnership. The authorities
justified this decision by strengthening security of Armenia, as well
as the economic benefits that will give the membership in the Customs
Union. Europeans have accused Russia of pressure on former Soviet
republics, including Armenia. Armenia and Russian authorities denied
these allegations. On December 24 during the meeting of the Supreme
Eurasian Economic Council a roadmap of Armenia's accession to Customs
Union was approved.
8. Armenian president declares amnesty
President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on October 3 submitted, for
National Assembly discussions, the proposal to declare amnesty in
Armenia The amnesty was declared on the occasion of the 22nd
anniversary of the declaration of Armenia's independence. Convicted
opposition activist Tigran Arakelyan was released under amnesty on
October 14.
9. Karabakh talks
In 2013, the Karabakh process was marked by a meeting of the
presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev
met in Vienna on November 19 after nearly a two-year break. Most
experts recognize that the main achievement of the meeting was
resumption of talks at the highest level, since no breakthrough in the
negotiation process is expected in the near future. Meanwhile, during
2013 the Azerbaijani side has repeatedly violated the cease-fire , not
only on the line of contact with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, but
also on the border with Armenia.
10. State visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Armenia
Russian president Vladimir Putin paid a state visit to Armenia in
early December. The presidents signed over dozen of agreements,
including lifting export duties on gas, petroleum products and raw
diamonds supplied to Armenia. A number of agreements on gas supplies
were signed, among the agreement providing for the sale of 20% of
ArmRusgazprom shares to Gazporm and reduction of gas price to $189 per
thousand cubic meters. The agreements on cooperation on nuclear safety
and action plan for implementation of long-term economic cooperation
for the period till 2020. The ratification of gas deals was opposed by
four parliamentary factions: ARF, Prosperous Armenia, Heritage and
ANC.
http://news.am/eng/news/187637.html
December 28, 2013 | 12:21
YEREVAN. -Armenian News-NEWS.am presents top ten of the most
significant political events of the year.
1. Assassination attempt on Paruyr Hayrikyan
The opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman,
ex-presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan was wounded as a result of
an assassination attempt that was staged against him on January 31 at
around 11:20pm in downtown Yerevan, in front of his home, and during
the campaign season for the presidential election that was held on
February 18. First, he was transferred to capital city Yerevan's Surb
Grigor Lusavorich (Saint Gregory the Illuminator) Medical Center,
where he was operated on. Subsequently, he was taken to the
rehabilitation center of the Armenian Red Cross Society. Next,
Hayrikyan headed to Belgium for treatment, and he underwent a surgery
there.
In the criminal case that was launched into this assassination
attempt, ex-presidential candidate, non-party affiliate, and epic
poetry specialist Vardan Sedrakyan was charged with ordering the
attempted murder of a state, political, or a public figure. Also,
Khachatur Poghosyan was charged with attempted murder of a state,
political, or a public figure; and Samvel Harutyunyan was charged with
orchestrating the attempted murder of a state, political, or a public
figure. Vardan Sedrakyan was sentenced to fourteen years in prison.
2. Presidential elections in Armenia
The sixth presidential elections took place in Armenia on February 18.
Seven candidates were running for the presidential seat: leader of the
ruling Republican Party of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, head of Heritage
Party Raffi Hovannisian, former Prime Minister of Armenia, Chairman of
the Freedom party Hrant Bagratyan, head of the Union for National
Self-Determination Paruyr Hayrikyan, political analyst Andreas
Ghukasyan, former Karabakh Foreign Minister Arman Melikyan and epic
poetry specialist Vardan Sedrakyan.
Serzh Sargsyan won elections in the first round, getting 58.64 percent
of votes. Raffi Hovannisian was the second with 36.75 percent.
3. Hunger strike of Heritage party leader and `barev' revolution
Head of Heritage party Raffi Hovannisian did not recognize the
official results of presidential elections and started mass protest
actions in Liberty Square. Hovannisian declared the start of `barev'
(hello) revolution. On February 21 Hovannisian met with Serzh Sargsyan
behind the closed doors. Being disappointed with the results of their
meeting, Hovannisian declared a hunger strike in Liberty Square that
lasted 21 days. On the day of official inauguration of Sargsyan,
Heritage leader held an alternative inauguration.
4. Elections to the Yerevan Council of Elders
The Republican Party of Armenia was declared the winner of Yerevan
Council elections. Severn political forces participated in the
elections: Republican Party of Armenia, Prosperous Armenia Party,
`Barev [Hello], Yerevan' bloc, Armenian National Congress Party, ARF
Dashnaktsutyun Party, Orinats Yerkir Party and Arakelutyun Party. As a
result, the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, the non-pro-government
Prosperous Armenia Party, and the opposition `Barev, Yerevan' bloc
will comprise the new Council of Elders of Yerevan.
5. Murder of former Gyumri mayoral candidate
Shots were fired nearby Syunik governor Suren Khachatryan's home in
Goris city, on June 1 at around 12:10am. As a result, one person was
killed and two others sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to Goris
hospital. The person who died was Avo Budaghyan, the former Goris
mayoral candidate. The wounded were Budaghyan's brother Artak, and
Nikolay Abrahamyan, a relative and bodyguard of Khachatryan.
Subsequently, the wounded were transferred to capital city Yerevan.
A criminal case was launched on charges of murder and illegal
carrying, possession, and use of arms and ammunition. Two people were
arrested in connection with this incident. One of them was the Syunik
regional governor's son, Tigran Khachatryan, 19, and the other was the
governor's bodyguard, Zarzand Nikoghosyan.
Pursuant to his petition, Suren Khachatryan was relieved of his duties
as Governor of Syunik Region. Artak Budaghyan was charged with an
armed assault. Later the Armenian Defense Ministry's investigation
service decided to stop the criminal proceedings against the son and
bodyguard of ex-governor. The investigation service decided to lift
the restraining order and stop criminal proceedings on the basis of
collected materials and the available evidence
6. Citizens of Armenia launch `We will not pay 150 drams' protest actions
The capital city Yerevan Municipality decision to increase the public
transport fares in the city brought about outbursts. Several groups
were formed in the social networks, and the initiatives were staging
protests and distributing pamphlets against this decision.
In addition, the `Free Car' initiative was launched, along the lines
of which Armenia's numerous well-known personalities, MPs, and
ordinary residents provide - with their own vehicles - free transportation
to the people. The municipality was forced to cancel the decision.
7. Armenia on the way to Customs Union
During his visit to Moscow on September 3, President Serzh Sargsyan
declared Armenia's intention to join the Customs Union, and then
participate in the formation of Eurasian Union. This statement put an
end to the negotiations on the Association Agreement and DCFTA with
the EU that lasted 3.5 years and had to be initialed in November
during the Vilnius summit of Eastern Partnership. The authorities
justified this decision by strengthening security of Armenia, as well
as the economic benefits that will give the membership in the Customs
Union. Europeans have accused Russia of pressure on former Soviet
republics, including Armenia. Armenia and Russian authorities denied
these allegations. On December 24 during the meeting of the Supreme
Eurasian Economic Council a roadmap of Armenia's accession to Customs
Union was approved.
8. Armenian president declares amnesty
President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on October 3 submitted, for
National Assembly discussions, the proposal to declare amnesty in
Armenia The amnesty was declared on the occasion of the 22nd
anniversary of the declaration of Armenia's independence. Convicted
opposition activist Tigran Arakelyan was released under amnesty on
October 14.
9. Karabakh talks
In 2013, the Karabakh process was marked by a meeting of the
presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev
met in Vienna on November 19 after nearly a two-year break. Most
experts recognize that the main achievement of the meeting was
resumption of talks at the highest level, since no breakthrough in the
negotiation process is expected in the near future. Meanwhile, during
2013 the Azerbaijani side has repeatedly violated the cease-fire , not
only on the line of contact with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, but
also on the border with Armenia.
10. State visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Armenia
Russian president Vladimir Putin paid a state visit to Armenia in
early December. The presidents signed over dozen of agreements,
including lifting export duties on gas, petroleum products and raw
diamonds supplied to Armenia. A number of agreements on gas supplies
were signed, among the agreement providing for the sale of 20% of
ArmRusgazprom shares to Gazporm and reduction of gas price to $189 per
thousand cubic meters. The agreements on cooperation on nuclear safety
and action plan for implementation of long-term economic cooperation
for the period till 2020. The ratification of gas deals was opposed by
four parliamentary factions: ARF, Prosperous Armenia, Heritage and
ANC.
http://news.am/eng/news/187637.html