Scandal at Erdoğan’s inauguration ceremony
“Aravot” learned some details of yesterday’s closed-door meeting between the MPs and Armenia’s Foreign Minister, Edward Nalbandyan, during the sitting of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly.
Note that MPs of all factions were invited to the meeting, but very few MPs from opposition factions attended the meeting. In particular, Aram Manukyan from ANC, Vahe Enfiajyan from PAP, Artsvik Minasyan from ARF, the “Heritage” faction was represented by three MPs: the leader of the faction Ruben Hakobyan, Secretary Tevan Poghosyan and Alexander Arzumanyan. According to the information by “Aravot”, Aram Manukyan and Alexander Arzumanyan were quite active in asking questions to Edward Nalbandyan.
According to our information, Edward Nalbandyan has told details about his participation in inauguration ceremony of the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In particular, the minister had informed that the invitation by Turkey to the President of Armenia to attend the inauguration of the President of Turkey was a very convenient opportunity for the Armenian side to give an official appearance to the public invitation made by Serzh Sargsyan to the President of Turkey to visit Armenia on the 100th anniversary of Genocide. Since there are no diplomatic relations between the two countries, it was the best opportunity to convey the invitation, especially when after Serzh Sargsyan’s public invitation, the Turkish side hinted that it would be better if it were made official.
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“Aravot” failed to clarify whether Edward Nalbandyan had presented explanations to the MPs as to why the Armenian side was so eagerly hiding the information about sending the official invitation, in the event when there was a publication about it in the Turkish media. As informed by our source, the presence of official Armenia in Erdoğan’s inauguration, according to Nalbandyan, was a surprise not only for Turkey but also in other attending countries. However, the move by the Armenian side was quite positive and was highly appreciated. Since there have been no official receptions, it was a bit difficult for Edward Nalbandyan to convey Serge Sargsyan’s invitation.
However, Nalbandyan managed to inform Erdoğan about the original mission of his visit, which as presented by Nalbandyan, was quite a surprise for the Turkish president. He did not even try to hide it. After handing over the letter, the latter for a long time was trying to read the Armenian text of the invitation but no success. Edward Nalbandyan hinted that the English text is on the opposite side. After reading, Erdoğan has stretched his hand to Edward Nalbandyan. During the handshake, the Turkish president, turning to the foreign minister of Armenia, has said, you see that we are friends, and you are saying… Edward Nalbandyan has noticed that Mr. Erdoğan has had various occasions for shaking hands with the President of Armenia, but it had not stopped his in his future statements.
After Nalbandyan-Erdoğan one-on-one meeting for about half an hour, the President of Turkey had asked Nalbandyan to convey his greetings to the President of Armenia. Edward Nalbandyan had presented details of the scandal at the Eurasian Economic Union’s founding session in Astana. Note that at this meeting, the President of Kazakhstan recited the Azerbaijani President’s letter and put a precondition that Armenia should be a member of the Eurasian Economic Union by the UN recognized borders, which do not include Nagorno-Karabakh. Edward Nalbandyan told the MPs that when the journalists left the hall, the President of Armenia had a tough conversation with Nursultan Nazarbayev. As a result, according to the foreign minister of Armenia, Nazarbayev had even asked Serzh Sargsyan’s forgiveness and stated that he will not do such moves in the future.
In fact, Nalbandyan also told that Nursultan Nazarbayev, on the occasion of Erdoğan’s inauguration in Turkey, was constantly trying to have a separate meeting with Erdoğan and to express his loyalty to Turkey and Azerbaijan, to explain that being in the membership of the CU, his country would push the interest of these brotherly states forward, alas his efforts were in vain. Erdoğan did not accept Nazarbayev. There was even a scandal during Erdoğan’s inauguration ceremony. Nazarbayev was sitting in the chair intended for Erdoğan’s wife. Referring to the Customs Union-related issues, Nalbandyan had said that if Armenia had not chosen this path, it would appear in a similar situation as Ukraine. Edward Nalbandyan has also said that Armenia is in constant communication, even quite good relations with European officials, and that the latter treat Armenia’s choice with a full understanding, as they clearly realize that economically, our country had no other option at this point.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
