Arminfo.info



 Monday, April 30 2018 14:20

Arman Melikyan: If RPA disrupts the election of Nikol Pashinyan as Prime minister,  a tensive  increase  in the Karabakh conflict zone should be expected

Arman Melikyan: If RPA disrupts the election of Nikol Pashinyan as Prime minister,  a tensive  increase  in the Karabakh conflict zone should be expected

Will Nikol Pashinyan, the "people's representative" and leader of the velvet revolution, be elected as a  Prime Minister of Armenia tomorrow, which will give him the right to form a Temporary  Government aimed at holding early parliamentary elections? What are the threats posed by the situation, if for the time being the political majority represented by the Republican Party of Armenia will disrupt tomorrow's election and the current crisis will enter a new stage of development? And what impact can the situation in Armenia have on the Karabakh conflict? The answers are given in  the interview of ArmInfo held   with an independent  analyst and ex-Foreign Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh Arman   Melikyan.

 

Mr. Melikyan, how do you assess the internal political situation in Armenia at the moment? Is it possible to expect that tomorrow the parliament will elect  Nikol Pashinyan as a Prime Minister  or will the Republican Party prepare a surprise?

I think that Nikol Pashinyan tomorrow should be elected as the  Head of the Government unanimously by all factions of the current RA parliament, for only in this way it will be possible to avoid the fall  not only in the domestic political, but also in the constitutional and legal crisis. The Republican Party of Armenia, which has a parliamentary majority, must be aware of the whole measure of its responsibility for the situation in the country and, for its part, make every effort to overcome the crisis, if it counteracts the threat of escalating into a complete collapse of the whole system of state administration. Let Nikol Pashinyan's election be unanimous, because probably not all Republicans will want to vote for him, but it is highly desirable that the majority of the faction members be able to ensure political unanimity by joining all the others. This will allow us to  lean,at least formally, on the legal possibilities inherent in the new Constitution to overcome the crisis. If the Republican majority is obstinate, then probably  all presidential and parliamentary elections since 1996, as well as constitutional referendums, may  be declared insolvent because of total falsification of their results. This turn will further complicate the  situation, which is pretty difficult already. Republicans have a chance of  adequate and responsible transfer of power, which, undoubtedly, will be reckoned to them as a plus.

 

In your opinion, has Serzh Sargsyan completely withdrawn from politics or is it expected that he will continue shadow management?

Everything will depend on how he will use his influence, which, undoubtedly, is still preserved and, at least for a certain period of time, will be able to manifest to some extent. Serzh Sargsyan is an experienced person and I hope that he will be able to correctly navigate in this situation and use his experience and knowledge for the benefit of further development of Armenian statehood.

Nikol Pashinyan states that there is no geopolitical content in the "people's velvet revolution". Moreover, especially during the last week, his rhetoric is aimed precisely at Moscow - statements that Armenia will not leave the CSTO and will not leave the EAEU, and  yesterday a promise to deepen and develop relations with the Russian Federation was voiced. What does it hint?

I think that everything is quite natural here. Armenia is a member of the EAEU, CSTO, ithere is a  Russian military base located in our country, and the border with Iran and Turkey is guarded by Russian border guards. That means  deep, strategic relationships between Russia and Armenia have, to maintain which is a political priority for the ruling elite of our country and personally Serzh Sargsyan, whichhas been fully supported by our  Russian partners. They supported him, although could not know about the deeply rooted corruption, total falsification of the election results, administrative and judicial arbitrariness. The resignation of a trusted ally - Serzh Sargsyan, caused deepest concerns for  the Russian government and political circles, for a possible change of attitude leaders toppled his protest movement to the Armenian-Russian relations could create serious problems for Russian interests at least in Regina South Caucasus and the Middle East . And it is this concern of the Russian side can be explained by the fact that Nikol Pashinyan, hastened to assure the partners in Moscow that any plans to revise the content and reformatting of the Armenian-Russian relations is not and never will be.

 

Almost from the first days of the movement, there were reports of the relocations  of Azerbaijani manpower and equipment to the perimeter of the contact zone of the Karabakh conflict. There are many forecasts that Baku will take advantage of the current tense situation inside Armenia to strike at it from outside. Is the escalation expected now?

If tomorrow members of parliament, including most of the Republicans, do not vote in favor of Nikol Pashinyan's candidacy and lead the current internal political crisis to a new spiral of destabilization, the probability of activation of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in the contact line in the zone of the Artsakh-Azerbaijani conflict and on the border with Armenia will essentially  increase.

 

Mr. Melikyan, what can we expect within the continuation of the negotiation process after the change of authorities in Armenia? Will there be a pause in connection with the expected parliamentary elections and other permutations in power?

I believe that a pause will be simply necessary, as in Armenia in the coming months there will be a process of forming legitimate institutions of power, which will later have to assume full responsibility for further efforts for a peaceful settlement of the conflict. The sooner these institutions enter a normal working regime, the earlier it will be possible to expect progress on this issue. Naturally, the new authorities will have to learn about the results achieved by the negotiators of the parties to the conflict with the help of international mediators - the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. It is not ruled out that new ideas and approaches can appear that can accelerate a peaceful solution.

POST A COMMENT
Input digits     

News
Official voting results of Russian citizens in Armenia have been  announcedOfficial voting results of Russian citizens in Armenia have been  announced
With With "demarcation" going at this rate it will reach Yerevan:  Pashinyan points out to Tavush residents the need to quickly transfer  4 villages to Azerbaijan
Pashinyan meets with Tavush residents as promised earlier: Details of  meeting have not yet been providedPashinyan meets with Tavush residents as promised earlier: Details of  meeting have not yet been provided
Stoltenberg: Azerbaijani-Turkish armed forces close cooperation  strengthens Azerbaijan-NATO relationsStoltenberg: Azerbaijani-Turkish armed forces close cooperation  strengthens Azerbaijan-NATO relations
Armenia and Azerbaijan now have opportunity to achieve enduring peace  after years of conflict - NATO Sec GenArmenia and Azerbaijan now have opportunity to achieve enduring peace  after years of conflict - NATO Sec Gen
Armenian government`s intention to waive the claims filed against  Azerbaijan in international courts to cause irreparable damage to  Armenian people - human rights activists Armenian government`s intention to waive the claims filed against  Azerbaijan in international courts to cause irreparable damage to  Armenian people - human rights activists 
Ardshinbank cardholders can now enjoy a 10% cashback!Ardshinbank cardholders can now enjoy a 10% cashback!
Higher school buildings to be managed by international company -  premierHigher school buildings to be managed by international company -  premier
Armenian CEC rep observe U.S. primaries Armenian CEC rep observe U.S. primaries 
Contemporary Indian writer Arjun Krishna Lal`s book released in  Armenian Contemporary Indian writer Arjun Krishna Lal`s book released in  Armenian 
U.S reaffirms commitment to durable and dignified peace between  Azerbaijan and Armenia - Joe Biden U.S reaffirms commitment to durable and dignified peace between  Azerbaijan and Armenia - Joe Biden 
Deepening Armenian-Indian relations among Armenia`s foreign policy  priorities Deepening Armenian-Indian relations among Armenia`s foreign policy  priorities 
Moscow Moscow "testing" its relations with Yerevan
Armenia`s possible withdrawal from CSTO should take country`s real  needs into account - Russian foreign office rep Armenia`s possible withdrawal from CSTO should take country`s real  needs into account - Russian foreign office rep 
Region closer to peace than ever before - president of Azerbaijan Region closer to peace than ever before - president of Azerbaijan 
Three Sad Stories about FraudstersThree Sad Stories about Fraudsters
Armenia`s Deputy FM admits setback in Armenia-EU visa requirement  simplification Armenia`s Deputy FM admits setback in Armenia-EU visa requirement  simplification 
Opposition is denied access to draft peace treaty with Azerbaijan -  MPOpposition is denied access to draft peace treaty with Azerbaijan -  MP
Stoltenberg: NATO sought to support stronger partnerships with both  Armenia, Azerbaijan in 2023Stoltenberg: NATO sought to support stronger partnerships with both  Armenia, Azerbaijan in 2023
Peter Stano: Armenia may apply to join EUPeter Stano: Armenia may apply to join EU
Azerbaijanis destroy13th-century Armenian khachkar in village of  Tsar, Shaumyan region of occupied ArtsakhAzerbaijanis destroy13th-century Armenian khachkar in village of  Tsar, Shaumyan region of occupied Artsakh
Zatulin: Strengthening Armenian-EU relations to require  revision of  Armenia`s membership in EAEUZatulin: Strengthening Armenian-EU relations to require  revision of  Armenia`s membership in EAEU
Basic principles of settling Armenian-Azerbaijani relations remain  unchanged - MFABasic principles of settling Armenian-Azerbaijani relations remain  unchanged - MFA
Oppositionist: Armenian government has failed its program, including  through CSTOOppositionist: Armenian government has failed its program, including  through CSTO
Foreign Minister: We are not negotiating surrender of villages in  Tavush region to AzerbaijanForeign Minister: We are not negotiating surrender of villages in  Tavush region to Azerbaijan
Foreign office: Today, mutual understanding between Yerevan and Baku  regarding mutual recognition of territorial integrity is higher than  month agoForeign office: Today, mutual understanding between Yerevan and Baku  regarding mutual recognition of territorial integrity is higher than  month ago
Statue honoring Soghomon Tehlirian unveiled in MarseilleStatue honoring Soghomon Tehlirian unveiled in Marseille
Armenian Revolutionary Federation holds protest in front of Armenian  Consulate in Los AngelesArmenian Revolutionary Federation holds protest in front of Armenian  Consulate in Los Angeles
Azerbaijan-Iran conflict predestined - Stepan Danielyan Azerbaijan-Iran conflict predestined - Stepan Danielyan 
Turkmenistan and Austria aim to expand the boundaries of bilateral cooperationTurkmenistan and Austria aim to expand the boundaries of bilateral cooperation
Senior Russian diplomat discusses Ukraine, South Caucasus at talks in  AnkaraSenior Russian diplomat discusses Ukraine, South Caucasus at talks in  Ankara
Armenian, Artsakh political forces issue joint statement  Armenian, Artsakh political forces issue joint statement
Our main goal is to return to Artsakh soil - Andrei SergeenkoOur main goal is to return to Artsakh soil - Andrei Sergeenko
AAA disappointed with financial aid to Armenia next year AAA disappointed with financial aid to Armenia next year 
Armenia committed to work actively on implementation of provisions of  EU resolution - Armenia NA speaker Armenia committed to work actively on implementation of provisions of  EU resolution - Armenia NA speaker 
European Parliament approves resolution on closer ties between the EU and ArmeniaEuropean Parliament approves resolution on closer ties between the EU and Armenia
Armenia intends to bring its domestic legislation to conformity with  ICC requirementsArmenia intends to bring its domestic legislation to conformity with  ICC requirements
Artsakh information Center calls on mass media to refrain from unfounded accusations against Artsakh authoritiesArtsakh information Center calls on mass media to refrain from unfounded accusations against Artsakh authorities
4 villages in Tavush are not included in Armenia`s administrative  borders  - minister4 villages in Tavush are not included in Armenia`s administrative  borders  - minister
Defense Minister: Defense Minister: "Nobody gave the order not to open fire"
Ararat Mirzoyan, Louis Bono discuss current security situation in  South Caucasus Ararat Mirzoyan, Louis Bono discuss current security situation in  South Caucasus 
Kremlin: Moscow to clarify with Armenian side situation around  Yerevan`s withdrawal from CSTO Kremlin: Moscow to clarify with Armenian side situation around  Yerevan`s withdrawal from CSTO 
Armenia hosting Francophonie Days Armenia hosting Francophonie Days 
Armenia`s authorities realizing Aliyev`s agenda by starting border  delimitation from Tavush - Mane Tandilyan Armenia`s authorities realizing Aliyev`s agenda by starting border  delimitation from Tavush - Mane Tandilyan 
South Caucasus stability one of Turkiye`s prioritiesSouth Caucasus stability one of Turkiye`s priorities
Tragic events in Nagorno Karabakh made France develop security  cooperation with Armenia - ambassador Tragic events in Nagorno Karabakh made France develop security  cooperation with Armenia - ambassador 
EU applies anti-Russian EU applies anti-Russian "geopolitical optic" everywhere - Russian  official 
Deployment of the EU Civilian Mission in Armenia aimed at  establishing lasting peace and ensuring stability in region - Paruyr  HovhannisyanDeployment of the EU Civilian Mission in Armenia aimed at  establishing lasting peace and ensuring stability in region - Paruyr  Hovhannisyan
Crossroads of Peace project divorced from reality Crossroads of Peace project divorced from reality 
PM: Armenian border guards wto perform their duties at Zvartnots  airport from August 1PM: Armenian border guards wto perform their duties at Zvartnots  airport from August 1
Pashinyan on Arshak Karapetyan`s dismissal reason and his special  relations with MoscowPashinyan on Arshak Karapetyan`s dismissal reason and his special  relations with Moscow
Premier: Yerevan sees and feels Turkiye`s presence in  Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process Premier: Yerevan sees and feels Turkiye`s presence in  Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process 
At meeting with French Ambassador, head of Armenia faction, notes  importance of sanctioning Azerbaijan for atrocities in Artsakh At meeting with French Ambassador, head of Armenia faction, notes  importance of sanctioning Azerbaijan for atrocities in Artsakh 
Pashinyan: External forces also provoked main force organizing ethnic  cleansing in KarabakhPashinyan: External forces also provoked main force organizing ethnic  cleansing in Karabakh
Our political force will follow path of institutional solutions -  ex-mayor of Yerevan Our political force will follow path of institutional solutions -  ex-mayor of Yerevan 
Yerevan is ready to expand its agenda with BrusselsYerevan is ready to expand its agenda with Brussels
Soviet Encyclopedia `to help` Pashinyan; Armenia`s territory is less  than 29,800 sq. km.Soviet Encyclopedia `to help` Pashinyan; Armenia`s territory is less  than 29,800 sq. km.
Yerevan is working to return prisoners from Baku, although at times  it looks like `Sisyphean task` - PashinyanYerevan is working to return prisoners from Baku, although at times  it looks like `Sisyphean task` - Pashinyan
If Armenia`s borders are If Armenia`s borders are "red line" for CSTO, let them demonstrate it  - Pashinyan
Pashinyan specifies timeframe of Armenia`s new Constitution  referendum Pashinyan specifies timeframe of Armenia`s new Constitution  referendum 
Read more



Commented