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ARMENIA'S AMBASSADORS 'RUNNING THEIR PERSONAL BUSINESSES' - ASHOT GRIGORIAN
[ Part 2.2: "Attached Text" ]
22:09 * 06.06.14
In an interview with Tert.am, Ashot Grigorian, President of the
Forum of the Armenian Associations of the Europe (FAAE), said that
Armenia’s ambassadors to other states are “running their
personal businesses.”
Mr Grigorian, Armenia’s Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan
had a meeting with big businessmen and urged them to invest in
Armenia’s economy. The premier also voiced his discontent
with Armenian ambassadors to foreign states over their inactivity as
respects investments.
Since we have contacts with ambassadors we cannot say they are
not doing business. Rather, they are not carrying out diplomatic
activities. Armenian diplomats are doing nothing, but running their
personal businesses. They have forgotten their work for the state.
They are not capable of dealing with serious processes because
diplomats are a random choice in Armenia, without diplomatic education
or economic experience. So we cannot expect them to do any serious
work for Armenia. Of course, we have exceptions. For example, I cannot
say the same about Ambassador to Austria Arman Kirakosyan.
As regards the possibility of investments in Armenia’s
economy by Armenian businessmen residing in other countries, the
potential is really great. But no ambassador can once more lie and
bring a businessman to Armenia because states have in recent years
formed the opinion that businessmen are “stripped”
in Armenia. And businessmen from the Armenian Diaspora receive
“special treatment” - defrauding them of as much money
as possible and sending them away from the country. In recent years,
we have not heard about well-known philanthropists and businessmen who
would support Armenia using their contacts. So turning to ambassadors
will not bring about any essential changes.
What should be done to remedy the situation?
First, we should demand that Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign
Affairs maintain a high level of its diplomatic service. I should
note that there was no “Azerbaijani lobbying” at one
time. Regrettably, however, Azerbaijan’s diplomatic missions are
now achieving remarkable success. But we have to say that a certain
Eduard Nalbandian does not serve Armenian interests. If the minister
is engaged in diplomacy, how could he be sitting beside the president
at the meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union, without the president
informed of Ilham Aliyev’s letter? And we must respond to that
letter not to disgrace ourselves in the eyes of the entire world. That
is, we have no diplomacy because we have no foreign minister.
What are your expectations about the new government?
No expectations. The government is a copy of the former government,
and even a worse one. All of them are corrupt ministers.
If so, how do you plan to work with the government?
After a long debate, our Forum decided to extend its hand to
Armenia’s new premier and invest 5- 10-year loans. They are the
breath of life for country. We have large-scale investment programs
and we’ll try to implement them one after another. We are now
dealing with the re-operation of one of Armenia’s industrial
giants, Nairit plant. If we succeed, it means rehabilitation and
progress of 80% of Armenia’s industry.
Armenia has finally decided to join the Eurasian Economic Union. What
is the European Armenian communities’ attitude?
Our dream has been Armenia’s best ties with the European Union.
Our dream has been Armenia’s signing an Association Agreement
with the EU and developing its excellent relations with Russia as
well. Both Russian and European ambassadors are well aware that
the United States is seeking to weaken both Russia and Europe. Our
diplomacy should have taken the following course: excellent relations
with Europe and best relations with Russia. They might have served
as a bridge between the great powers. But they lied to both instead
of continuing this complementary policy. In short, September 3 showed
Armenia as a liar.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/06/06/grigoryan-ashot/
[ Part 2.2: "Attached Text" ]
22:09 * 06.06.14
In an interview with Tert.am, Ashot Grigorian, President of the
Forum of the Armenian Associations of the Europe (FAAE), said that
Armenia’s ambassadors to other states are “running their
personal businesses.”
Mr Grigorian, Armenia’s Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan
had a meeting with big businessmen and urged them to invest in
Armenia’s economy. The premier also voiced his discontent
with Armenian ambassadors to foreign states over their inactivity as
respects investments.
Since we have contacts with ambassadors we cannot say they are
not doing business. Rather, they are not carrying out diplomatic
activities. Armenian diplomats are doing nothing, but running their
personal businesses. They have forgotten their work for the state.
They are not capable of dealing with serious processes because
diplomats are a random choice in Armenia, without diplomatic education
or economic experience. So we cannot expect them to do any serious
work for Armenia. Of course, we have exceptions. For example, I cannot
say the same about Ambassador to Austria Arman Kirakosyan.
As regards the possibility of investments in Armenia’s
economy by Armenian businessmen residing in other countries, the
potential is really great. But no ambassador can once more lie and
bring a businessman to Armenia because states have in recent years
formed the opinion that businessmen are “stripped”
in Armenia. And businessmen from the Armenian Diaspora receive
“special treatment” - defrauding them of as much money
as possible and sending them away from the country. In recent years,
we have not heard about well-known philanthropists and businessmen who
would support Armenia using their contacts. So turning to ambassadors
will not bring about any essential changes.
What should be done to remedy the situation?
First, we should demand that Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign
Affairs maintain a high level of its diplomatic service. I should
note that there was no “Azerbaijani lobbying” at one
time. Regrettably, however, Azerbaijan’s diplomatic missions are
now achieving remarkable success. But we have to say that a certain
Eduard Nalbandian does not serve Armenian interests. If the minister
is engaged in diplomacy, how could he be sitting beside the president
at the meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union, without the president
informed of Ilham Aliyev’s letter? And we must respond to that
letter not to disgrace ourselves in the eyes of the entire world. That
is, we have no diplomacy because we have no foreign minister.
What are your expectations about the new government?
No expectations. The government is a copy of the former government,
and even a worse one. All of them are corrupt ministers.
If so, how do you plan to work with the government?
After a long debate, our Forum decided to extend its hand to
Armenia’s new premier and invest 5- 10-year loans. They are the
breath of life for country. We have large-scale investment programs
and we’ll try to implement them one after another. We are now
dealing with the re-operation of one of Armenia’s industrial
giants, Nairit plant. If we succeed, it means rehabilitation and
progress of 80% of Armenia’s industry.
Armenia has finally decided to join the Eurasian Economic Union. What
is the European Armenian communities’ attitude?
Our dream has been Armenia’s best ties with the European Union.
Our dream has been Armenia’s signing an Association Agreement
with the EU and developing its excellent relations with Russia as
well. Both Russian and European ambassadors are well aware that
the United States is seeking to weaken both Russia and Europe. Our
diplomacy should have taken the following course: excellent relations
with Europe and best relations with Russia. They might have served
as a bridge between the great powers. But they lied to both instead
of continuing this complementary policy. In short, September 3 showed
Armenia as a liar.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/06/06/grigoryan-ashot/