The topic of “Aravot” online on the air is discussed between the NA MP Samvel Farmanyan (RPA) and Vice-President of “Heritage” faction, Armen Martirosyan.
Aram Abrahamyan – Since our theme is the need for keeping silence and speaking at the international conferences, let’s start from Astana. How was the President supposed to respond to the reading of Aliyev’s letter written by Nursultan Nazarbayev?
Armen Martirosyan – I think that Serzh Sargsyan should have responded, and this is where he was supposed to recall his grandmother’s words, “Is this for we have gathered?” This is a true word, and this is what should be said to Nursultan Nazarbayev, because this issue was not on the agenda. It is clear that it was a step by Nursultan Nazarbayev beyond political and diplomatic protocol. It was a diplomatic slap, a humiliation to Armenia and personally Serzh Sargsyan, who at that time was presenting Armenia. Nazarbayev made an out-of-format move, which is generally not accepted. The agenda of such meetings is clarified in advance, by special procedures, departments, ambassadors and others, at the level of precision of almost all words, and what Nursultan Nazarbayev did is unacceptable, hence a similar response should be given.
Samvel Farmanyan – Of course, there is a public opinion, and from its perspective, it would be desirable if, in my opinion, fruitless and nothing saying statement voiced by Nursultan Nazarbayev had a very tough reversal on spot by the RA representatives, in this case, by the President. However, the foreign policy is not a platform of shouting aloud, and, fortunately, our Parliament where you can scream louder and more outrageous, trying to obtain the public’s positive attitude by “childish” statements. It is much more serious, because this place really touches upon the interests of our country, and there is only one standard for me: it is more important to solve the problems facing your country.
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A. A. – You both acting from various positions are saying the same thing that it has nothing to do with the Eurasian Union, that it was off the agenda. In other words, is the question raised by Aliyev and Nazarbayev associated with Armenia’s membership? Do you agree, or not?
A. M. – Of course, it is associated. It clearly shows that none of Armenia’s interests is protected in the Eurasian Union, and earlier, we were convinced that our security and Artsakh’s issue would be under protection there, but it turned out that there is neither a security issue, because Russia until now is equipping Azerbaijan with a large-scale ammunition, nor an Artsakh problem.
A. A. – Nevertheless, the relations with the World Trade Organization and the Eurasian Union seem to enter into contradiction with each other, therefore this issue was not topical in Astana.
S. F. – For me, it is sad that on the one hand, objectively, and partly, due to subjective factors, our foreign ministry and we, generally, as a government, speak very little about foreign policy, our objectives, goals pursued, logic of the steps, and this raises additional questions among the public, as well as the politicians. But, on the other hand, we all need to understand that deep processes occur, and it is not mandatory to be important what is said or what is seemed, because we still have to wait to see the outcome of these processes. Watch the complete discussion in the video.
Prepared by ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
“Face to Face” talk show series are released by the Open Society Foundations- Armenia. The views and analyzes found in this broadcast express the opinions of the participants, and are not approved by the Open Society Foundations-Armenia, or its Board. This broadcast is made available thanks to comprehensive financial support by the Open Society Foundations-Armenia, under the mass media support program, grant No 18624.
