“Zhamanak” says that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s decision to visit Yerevan is part of Ankara’s efforts to “tie the international community’s hands ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide.” “The year 2015 is really a problem for Turkey as the 100th anniversary of the human tragedy will undoubtedly escalate the international mood with regard to those events and Ankara will need extra efforts to thwart [pro-Armenian] breakthroughs,” writes the paper.
“Aravot” expresses concern at the Armenian government’s decision to allow the opening of a Russian high school. Russian President Vladimir Putin personally announced it during his visit to Armenia. The paper believes that the school’s operations may contradict Armenian laws and lure children of the country’s ruling elite. It says that this is what happened in Soviet Armenia in the 1970s and 1980s. “Russian officials coming here … must feel that they are visiting a foreign country where knowledge of foreign languages is very desirable but not mandatory,” it says in an editorial.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” comments on the Armenian government’s disclosure of a $300 million gas debt to Russia. The paper fears that the government will soon also reveal other lump sums owed to the Russians. “Armenia’s state debt may already exceed half of our GDP, even though it officially stands at less than 40 percent,” it says.
“Zhoghovurd” notes that Azerbaijan has softened its bellicose rhetoric against Armenia of late. “Changes of emphasis regarding a peace accord are noticeable in statements made by Azerbaijani officials,” writes the paper. It points to Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov’s Thursday statement backing the Basic Principles of a Karabakh settlement proposed by international mediators.
(Tigran Avetisian)
“Aravot” expresses concern at the Armenian government’s decision to allow the opening of a Russian high school. Russian President Vladimir Putin personally announced it during his visit to Armenia. The paper believes that the school’s operations may contradict Armenian laws and lure children of the country’s ruling elite. It says that this is what happened in Soviet Armenia in the 1970s and 1980s. “Russian officials coming here … must feel that they are visiting a foreign country where knowledge of foreign languages is very desirable but not mandatory,” it says in an editorial.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” comments on the Armenian government’s disclosure of a $300 million gas debt to Russia. The paper fears that the government will soon also reveal other lump sums owed to the Russians. “Armenia’s state debt may already exceed half of our GDP, even though it officially stands at less than 40 percent,” it says.
“Zhoghovurd” notes that Azerbaijan has softened its bellicose rhetoric against Armenia of late. “Changes of emphasis regarding a peace accord are noticeable in statements made by Azerbaijani officials,” writes the paper. It points to Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov’s Thursday statement backing the Basic Principles of a Karabakh settlement proposed by international mediators.
(Tigran Avetisian)