What is your opinion about Samvel Shahramanyan as the Minister of State and candidate for the President of Artsakh? We are receiving alerts from Artsakh that there are forces led by Samvel Babayan who are going to boycott the elections and organize protests when the National Assembly elects Shahramanyan as the President of Artsakh. Is this permissible in today’s Artsakh situation? Journalists asked this question.
Ruben Vardanyan answered: “I know and respect Shahramanyan as a person. All people who are now in Artsakh and are ready to keep Artsakh Armenian are acceptable to us. We have a simple position; we are consistent: All the forces that accept the idea that Artsakh cannot be part of Azerbaijan are acceptable to us. And we cannot cooperate with the forces that follow a different path; they play a dangerous role. I want to understand how it is possible in today’s situation if you do not have a mandate from the State; you can go and negotiate with the Azerbaijani side and not be punished for it. It is unacceptable not because it is right or wrong but because it is unacceptable to do such a thing in this situation. The approach should be clear: We have a Patriotic War, and we should punish those who interfere with that approach.”
Ruben Vardanyan answered the question: Is there any contact between you and Nikol Pashinyan, and when did it stop? “The last time was in November, very briefly, when I was appointed State Minister and Araik Harutyunyan introduced me; that was the first and last contact. There is no contact between personal and business.”
Ruben Vardanyan answered: You are talking about unblocking the Berdzor Corridor. Is there hope or not? “It is a serious problem indeed. The Lachin Corridor was closed; it was regulated by the document of November 9. Everyone is talking about the peace treaty, but until then, neither party is fulfilling the signed paper, leading to mistrust regarding the other paper. If it’s not happening, what does it matter what was signed? Therefore, before going to new arrangements, there should be a clear position on the future of the document signed on November 9.”
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According to Ruben Vardanyan, the Armenian authorities are ruining everything with their policies because first, they should return to implementing the points of November 9; apply pressure, and then only talk about other arrangements.
Hripsime JEBEJYAN
