Hours after calling for consultations with political forces in Armenia, to find consensus regarding the fate of Artsakh, President Armen Sarkissian on Tuesday met with leaders of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.
These consultations were spurred by the revelation that the president was not consulted nor was he engaged in discussions about the agreement signed by prime minister Nikol Pashinyan and the Russian and Azerbaijani presidents late Monday to end the Karabakh war.
In a statement on Tuesday, Sarkissian said any agreement on Artsakh must stem from Armenian national interests and must be concluded through a national consensus.
ARF Bureau member Armen Rustamyan and ARF Supreme Council of Armenia member Artsvik Minasyan met with president Sarkissian to discuss the unexpected situation created in the country following the revelation of the end of war agreement, which among other provisions, stipulates the surrender of Armenian territories in Artsakh—including Shushi—to Artsakh.
Holding the current leadership squarely responsible for the situation at hand, the ARF leaders expressed their concerns about the incredible threats the agreement poses to Armenia and presented their view on addressing the situation.
The sides emphasized the importance of national consensus for the settlement of Karabakh conflict, calling it an issue of national importance.
President Sarkissian underscored the need for preserve stability, public accord and unity in the country.
Sarkissian’s announcement Tuesday signaled that he was caught off guard about the agreement, saying he found out about it and its provisions through the press.
The president also held separate meetings Tuesday with leaders of the Republican Party of Armenia, as well as the parliamentary Bright Armenia party and non-parliamentary Homeland and Heritage parties.
Dear Mr President, it is very said the way an agreement was reached about the Artchagh war. Many apparent mistakes were made by Armenian & Artchagh authorities that , I am sure, will be addressed by war historians in the future.
The fact of the matter is that over 1300 young Armenian Soldiers were killed in short 40 days defending Artchagh plus huge numbers were seriously wounded. On the last day of the war alone 81 young soldiers died. Also Stepanagerd is ruined.This is perhaps the sadest day for all Armenians after the Genocide. Now opposition is very quik to point fingers at PM Pashinian and, understandabl so, to dump him. The old adjunct is “you do not change a horse in the middle of the game.” Today more than ever we must stand united & focus on the immediate future. Thoes who oppose the seisefife must be willing to accept the 40-50 daily deaths of our young & brave soldiers indefinitely. In my view it is a sick political strategy. Now how, why & who signed the agreement with Azerbaijan requires some explaining however I do not think it will change the equation. All my very best.
SebouhTashjian
Former State Minister of Armenia
how about returning Nakhichevan for an exchange rather that greed and arrogance and ego