“Zhamanak” discusses implications of President Serzh Sarkisian’s Thursday remark that the Association Agreement with the European Union “will not work in full” if the Turkish-Armenian border remains closed. The paper speculates that Sarkisian thus “left himself with room for retreat” in case Russia forces Armenia not to sign the agreement. “On the other hand, Serzh Sarkisian might be telling the Europeans that if they manage to get the border opened that will help to substantially reduce Russia’s political and economic pressure on Armenia,” it says. “The question is how possible it is to force Turkey to open the border and how pressing the issue is for the EU.”
As Lragir.am points out, EU officials have repeatedly implied that they cannot force the Turks to lift Armenia’s blockade. “That means that Serzh Sarkisian’s demands for the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border are not realistic right from the beginning,” comments the online publication.
“Zhoghovurd” says Armenia is seeking to “maneuver” between the EU and Russia in bid to “draw maximum benefits for itself.” “To what extent that tactic works will become clear very soon,” the paper says. “Not much time is left before November.”
“Hraparak” criticizes the Armenian government for not lodging a formal protest with Russia against the controversial sales of Russian weapons to Azerbaijan. “Why did [Foreign Minister] Edward Nalbandian leave it to the media to perform that honorable task?” it asks.
“No matter how much the government’s propaganda outlets try to instill in the public consciousness the notion that Serzh Sarkisian is trying to hone Armenia’s economic system it will remain obvious that they are simply talking about modernizing a criminal system,” writes “Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun.” The pro-opposition paper claims that this “feudal” order remains intact because most Armenians are unwilling to revolt against it. “The vassals do not want to understand that there are no good or evil, opposition or ‘alternative’ feudal chieftains,” it says. “That is why Serzh Sarkisian has no trouble honing the system. Who should he be afraid of?”
(Karlen Aslanian)
As Lragir.am points out, EU officials have repeatedly implied that they cannot force the Turks to lift Armenia’s blockade. “That means that Serzh Sarkisian’s demands for the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border are not realistic right from the beginning,” comments the online publication.
“Zhoghovurd” says Armenia is seeking to “maneuver” between the EU and Russia in bid to “draw maximum benefits for itself.” “To what extent that tactic works will become clear very soon,” the paper says. “Not much time is left before November.”
“Hraparak” criticizes the Armenian government for not lodging a formal protest with Russia against the controversial sales of Russian weapons to Azerbaijan. “Why did [Foreign Minister] Edward Nalbandian leave it to the media to perform that honorable task?” it asks.
“No matter how much the government’s propaganda outlets try to instill in the public consciousness the notion that Serzh Sarkisian is trying to hone Armenia’s economic system it will remain obvious that they are simply talking about modernizing a criminal system,” writes “Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun.” The pro-opposition paper claims that this “feudal” order remains intact because most Armenians are unwilling to revolt against it. “The vassals do not want to understand that there are no good or evil, opposition or ‘alternative’ feudal chieftains,” it says. “That is why Serzh Sarkisian has no trouble honing the system. Who should he be afraid of?”
(Karlen Aslanian)