“Zhoghovurd” describes as unprecedented President Serzh Sarkisian’s public statement criticizing Russian arms supplies to Azerbaijan. “Of course, in an interview with an Argentinean newspaper last year, he already expressed concern at Russia’s arms sales to Azerbaijan,” writes the paper. “But yesterday’s political statement had a totally different political quality. First of all because it was made in response to a question from a Russian journalist. And it was made in a quite determined way, with Sarkisian saying that ‘the problem needs a solution.’” The paper notes that Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian voiced similar concerns recently. “It is evident that Armenia has a new and very serious reason to be worried about Russia’s behavior, which is perhaps not known to the public,” it says.
“Zhamanak” wonders whether Sarkisian will demand a halt to the Russian-Azerbaijani arms deals more forcefully or will content himself with mere statements.
“The sales of weapons to Azerbaijan is only one part of a broader picture of Russia’s attitudes and policies towards Armenia,” Marta Ayvazian, a political analyst and former Armenian Foreign Ministry official, tells “Aravot.” Ayvazian claims that Moscow also forced Armenia to join the Eurasian Economic Union and is now illegally refusing to hand over a Russian soldier accused of murdering an Armenian family in Gyumri. “The main problem lies within ourselves, in our inability to defend our interests,” she says.
“168 Zham” sees a new “process” unfolding between Armenia and the European Union, citing statements made by Armenian and EU officials in recent days. “It is also obvious that Armenia’s authorities do not yet know just how far they can go in deepening relations with the EU,” writes the paper. “They have no idea because they do not just how happy Russia will be with that.”
“Hraparak” says President Sarkisian’s stated misgivings about the wisdom of turning Armenia into a parliamentary republic underscore his “unserious approach” to his own constitutional reform. The paper believes that if Sarkisian is indeed not sure about that then he should not have initiated the reform in the first place.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” quotes Eduard Sharmazanov, the spokesman for the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), as saying that Serzh Sarkisian will remain the HHK’s top leader for many more years. “If we take into the account the HHK claims that the HHK will keep governing Armenia for a long time, it means that Sarkisian intends to run Armenia through his part for a long time,” comments the paper. This is the main purpose of his constitutional amendments, it says.
(Heghine Buniatian)