“Zhamanak” questions the “complacency” shown by the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) in the face of the Armenian government’s reluctance to start a genuine dialogue with it. “True, they have made an announcement about the June 30 rally,” writes the paper sympathetic to the HAK. “Probably as a warning to the government to the effect that there could be unforeseen developments or emphases. But the question is whether that is enough. And, generally speaking, does the opposition’s behavioral dynamics correspond to the situation existing in the country?”
“I’m an optimist, and not just regarding relations with the HAK,” Eduard Sharmazanov, the spokesman for the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), tells “Kapital.” “I believe that the administration of President Serzh Sarkisian has managed to create an atmosphere of solidarity in the country in the last three years … We are ready to negotiate and discuss issues with all political forces and are not going to create special greenhouse conditions for the HAK.” He reiterates that the government is open to “any constructive and sound proposal” from the opposition.
“168 Zham” quotes deputy parliament speaker Samvel Nikoyan as insisting that the government will not name a team that would negotiate with the HAK. “But if they expect a personal response [from President Serzh Sarkisian,] they probably know something,” he says. “That might happen. But in my view, that wouldn’t be what they expect.”
In an interview with “Aravot,” Vartan Bostanjian, a senior lawmaker representing the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), dismisses suggestions that only the HAK and its demands are now taken seriously by the government. “It’s just that the opposition … has a wing that is inclined to embark on a dialogue,” he says. “I personally don’t know what interests are pursued as a result of that dialogue. There is another opposition that envies the opposition force opting for the dialogue. I don’t think this should really matter to the authorities.”
Political analyst Aleksandr Iskandarian tells “Hayots Ashkhar” that Sarkisian and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev are unlikely to sign any agreements on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in Kazan. “But if [the mediators] manage to overcome the parties’ resistance, it will be a vague document containing the basic principles of a settlement which have been repeatedly discussed at various levels,” says Iskandarian. “Of course, once again it will be stated that negotiations should continue, that the conflict should be resolved by solely peaceful means and that it is premature to speak of time frames, deployment of peacekeeping forces and other details of the settlement.”
(Aghasi Yenokian)
“I’m an optimist, and not just regarding relations with the HAK,” Eduard Sharmazanov, the spokesman for the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), tells “Kapital.” “I believe that the administration of President Serzh Sarkisian has managed to create an atmosphere of solidarity in the country in the last three years … We are ready to negotiate and discuss issues with all political forces and are not going to create special greenhouse conditions for the HAK.” He reiterates that the government is open to “any constructive and sound proposal” from the opposition.
“168 Zham” quotes deputy parliament speaker Samvel Nikoyan as insisting that the government will not name a team that would negotiate with the HAK. “But if they expect a personal response [from President Serzh Sarkisian,] they probably know something,” he says. “That might happen. But in my view, that wouldn’t be what they expect.”
In an interview with “Aravot,” Vartan Bostanjian, a senior lawmaker representing the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), dismisses suggestions that only the HAK and its demands are now taken seriously by the government. “It’s just that the opposition … has a wing that is inclined to embark on a dialogue,” he says. “I personally don’t know what interests are pursued as a result of that dialogue. There is another opposition that envies the opposition force opting for the dialogue. I don’t think this should really matter to the authorities.”
Political analyst Aleksandr Iskandarian tells “Hayots Ashkhar” that Sarkisian and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev are unlikely to sign any agreements on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in Kazan. “But if [the mediators] manage to overcome the parties’ resistance, it will be a vague document containing the basic principles of a settlement which have been repeatedly discussed at various levels,” says Iskandarian. “Of course, once again it will be stated that negotiations should continue, that the conflict should be resolved by solely peaceful means and that it is premature to speak of time frames, deployment of peacekeeping forces and other details of the settlement.”
(Aghasi Yenokian)