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PM Nikol Pashinyan delivers remarks at Nelson Mandela Peace Summit in UN Headquarters

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is in New York on a working visit, participated in the UN-hosted summit on September 24, referred to as Global Call for Action on the Global Narcotics Problem, Pashinyan’s office said.

The participants first posed for photos with U.S. President Donald Trump, after which the workshops started. Later on Nikol Pashinyan took part in the opening of the Peace Summit dedicated to Nelson Mandela, attended by U.S. President Donald Trump and leaders and heads of government from many countries participating in the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly.

Addressing the event, Prime Minister Pashinyan said:

“Mr. President,
Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honor to address Nelson Mandela Peace Summit that marks the centennial anniversary of this iconic political leader. Mandela’s image symbolizes peace and human dignity, embodying struggle and compassion at the same time.

His name is deeply rooted in our collective memory as a pioneer for the fight against racism and discrimination, strong advocate of justice and equality.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It was only half a year ago, when the people of Armenia rejected fear and injustice and went out to the streets to protest for their fundamental rights, freedom and dignity.

As the dramatic events were unfolding in the streets of Yerevan I was asked if I had a model of a leader who inspired me in my nation’s strive for democracy and social justice and my answer was YES, there is such a leader. And that leader is Nelson Mandela.

Having been a political prisoner myself, I closely followed the political path and life story of this most famous political prisoner who would change his own country and indeed the aspirations of millions worldwide.

As Mandela said on one occasion “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

Mandela’s walk, the long walk to freedom was with me during my imprisonment, and to a great extend influenced my conscience and motivated me to embark on my own “long walk to freedom” through prison and persecution, through struggle against injustice across the towns and villages of my country.

In the true spirit of Mandela’s ideas, our movement became known to the world as Armenian non-violent velvet revolution of love and solidarity and now, months after my people’s success, I stand here at the high rostrum of this summit as the head of modern Armenian government to celebrate the legacy of this great person whose courage and determination served as an example for others around the globe.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I come from a region, where unfortunately bloody conflicts, corrupt system of governance, animosity between people overshadow wisdom and the need for peaceful coexistence.

Democracies are not supposed to wage wars against each other. I hope that one day our region’s democratic development will rule out the risks of hostilities, wars and hatred. Armenia has firmly embarked on this path of and strongly stands for regional peace, stability and reconciliation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This year we will mark the seventieth anniversaries of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

This provides us with yet another opportunity to reflect on the reasons of why the humanity to this day is not immune from the scourge of discrimination, intolerance, xenophobia, persecution and crimes against humanity.

The life and struggle of Nelson Mandela will stand as a true role model of what should and can be done, as he was preaching that “no one is born hating another person…, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love”.

Thank you.”

In conclusion, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the members of the Armenian delegation went to view the 12th-13th century Armenian cross-stone at the UN headquarters.

 

I hope our partnership that started 100 years ago will further strengthen – Trump congratulates Pashinyan

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Trump congratulates Pashinyan

President of the USA Donald Trump has sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on the occasion of Independence Day.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the official website of the Prime Minister of Armenia, the letter runs as follows,

“Honorable Mr. Prime Minister,

On behalf of the people of the USA I congratulate you and the people of Armenia on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of independence.

This year Armenia has various reasons for celebration. The peaceful, popular movement brought a new era in Armenia and we are ready to work with you to help to bring into life the will of your people to eradicate corruption, to establish representative and accountable administration based on independent judiciary, political and economic competition.

We thank you for your resolve partnership on various platforms, particularly your participation in NATO activities and for generously accepting Syrian refugees.

In the upcoming months opportunities will emerge for the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, which can open new opportunities for the Armenian-American partnership. As a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, the USA is ready to work with you for finding a lasting and peaceful settlement to the conflict.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the first Armenian republic and the centennial of Armenian-American friendship. I hope our partnership that started 100 years ago will further strengthen. On the occasion of this unique jubilee year I extent my best wishes to you and the Armenian people”.

 

Kocharyan: Pashinyan is a meteorite or a comet that is fading away quickly

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YEREVAN. – Armenia’s second president Robert Kocharyan compared incumbent Armenian PM to a meteorite and a comet that is fading away very quickly.

Kocharyan believes four months are enough to understand how competent the authorities are and what values they are based on. In his words, incumbent Armenian authorities’ actions are chaotic, they know nothing about economics and do not have a clear action plan.

“There is a quite bright leader, but his unwise aspirations to populism are causing concern. This resembles me Hugo Chavez style Latin American populism.”

He slammed a model of governance when there is “one sun in the sky, and he is a number one person. There is no number two, five or ten.” According to Kocharyan, such a model cannot exist for in long-term perspective.

Answering to a remark that there are many post-Soviet countries where there is one sun, and unbearable conditions are created for the others who want to be engaged in politics, ex-president said “if the sun has managerial experience, skills and knowledge, he knows economy and is focused on long-term interests” it is another thing. If the sun is not predictable and hysterical, this may lead to a catastrophe, he emphasized.

“Four months have passed. Pashinyan might be a meteorite or a comet, which is fading away very quickly.”

 

Armenia PM gives official dinner in honor of visiting Angela Merkel

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YEREVAN. – On behalf of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, an official dinner was given—on Friday evening at the Prime Minister’s residence—in honor of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is on an official visit to Armenia.

According to the protocol, the heads of governments of both countries made mutual toasts, and they reflected on Armenian-German relations and the prospects for their development, informed the press office of the government of Armenia.

 

Pashinyan Still On ‘Revolution’ High, Walking A Fine Line

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Pashinyan Still On ‘Revolution’ High

Three months after a “Velvet Revolution” of sorts toppled President Serzh Sarkisian and brought opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan to power, Armenians remain optimistic about the future.

The problem is, now comes the hard part.

The 43-year-old prime minister and former journalist Pashinian called on Armenians to mark his first 100 days in office by returning on August 17 to Republic Square in central Yerevan, where tens of thousands rallied to protest against corruption and cronyism, forcing the ouster of Sarkisian in May.

Since taking power, Pashinian has publicly made a priority of peeling back the layers of the old guard that had basically ruled the country since it left the Soviet Union in 1991, including the detention of former President Robert Kocharian, who is awaiting trial on charges of “overthrowing Armenia’s constitutional order.”

He’s also traveled to Brussels and other foreign capitals to meet with key leaders to assure them Armenia has a stable administration that is interested in more than just settling old scores with previous regimes.

But even Pashinian knows the real work is yet to come.

“At this stage, you need very fast and effective reforms for the country’s economy to be launched with a new spirit, new speed, and within the context of the budget discussions,” Pashinian told journalists on August 16.

national debt that reached $6.5 billion at the end of the first half of the year, or about 56 percent of economic output, compared with $1.5 billion a decade earlier.

Armenia is dependent on Russia for security through a defense pact in the Caucasus region, where simmering tensions can boil over at any moment.

Will Pashinyan change from revolution mode to Governing mode? He is back on protest mode again

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YEREVAN. – Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan called on the participants of today’s rally not to yield to provocations and to show restraint.

According to him, the procession will start from the crossroads of Artsakh and Erebuni streets at 17:40 and will move towards the Republic Square of Yerevan.

“The procession will start at the place where I was taken away by officers of the National Security Service and police on April 22, 2018. I am confident during today’s procession they will provide security, and some will even take part in it. This will be a manifestation of national solidarity. Today there are no dividing lines. The police, the National Security Service, society, the army, the Armed Forces, the state administration bodies, the government are all on the same side,” Pashinyan said.

He also asked the participants not to respond aggressively to any manifestation. According to the head of the government, there will be a lot of people at the rally, and each of them should show restraint.

“I do not exclude that there will be people who will be sent on purpose to stage provocations. I ask you not to respond in any way to their actions by aggression. If necessary, contact the police. Law enforcers will work in an enhanced mode today,” Pashinyan said.

 

Nikol Pashinyan’s team rating after 3 months,

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Finally, some sociology on Armenian gov’t from a fairly large, mostly Armenia-based sample: overall Pashinyan government favored by 60% of respondents, 18% are neutral & 22% – negative. Pashinyan’s own approval rating at 77%, interesting he doesn’t have..
the highest rating, no. 1 spot is shared by defense minister Tonoyan & NSS director Vanetsyan at 81% approval each, followed by police director Osipyan (66%), education minister Arayik Harutyunyan (64%), justice minister Zeynalyan (60%) & FM Mnatsakanyan (59%)

Source: Emil Sanamyan

Inform the world and investors about new Armenian realities – Pashinyan addresses Armenian woman from New York

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new Armenian realities

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan wishes Armenia not to be like Singapore or Israel, but to become an example for those countries. ARMENPRESS reports answering the question of an Armenian woman from New York in a meeting with Noyemberyan’s residents about how they can support Armenia to withstand the challenges, Pashinyan said, “The most important thing is to inform about the present realities of Armenia and encouraging them to come to Armenia with investments. The traditional relations between Armenia and the Diaspora has been a relation of donator-consumer. Now a new period has come. Our Diaspora businessmen should think of making investments in Armenia and creating new jobs together with their partners”.

The PM assured that there are no more obstacles for that. Equal opportunities for investments are guaranteed, and business protection is at a high level. “Let’s consolidate over one issue, which is to show the world the new face of Armenia. Foreign reporters often ask me if I want Armenia to be like Singapore, I say no, they ask like Israel? I again say no. I say I want Armenia to be like Armenia. Armenia, the grounds of which we have set together. The examples of Israel or Singapore should not be brought for us, but the example of Armenia should be brought there. We have such great ambitions”, the Prime Minister added.

 

Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan Wants Face-to-Face Meeting With Trump

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Request comes amid escalating tension with Turkey

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The newly installed Prime Minister of Armenia is amping up efforts to get a face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump, an effort that recently received a boost in Congress, when nearly 50 members formally petitioned the White House to organize a meeting with the Armenia leader.

Nikol Pashinyan was swept into office in May after leading a poplar revolution against the former regime led by Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, who was forced out of office by Pashinyan, a prominent newspaper editor and reformist voice.

On the heels of this electoral victory, Pashinyan has been seeking a one-on-one with Trump to help bolster ties between the United States and Armenia.

The request for a meeting with Trump comes as tensions escalate between the United States and Turkey, which was recently hit with sanctions for its continued detainment of American Pastor Andrew Brunson. Proponents of the meeting with Pashinyan see an opportunity to bolster ties between the United States and Armenia as diplomatic tensions escalate with Turkey, which has traditionally had chilly relations with Armenia.

“The Republic of Armenia has seen a remarkable change in its government through peaceful and democratic means over the past few months,” wrote nearly 50 lawmakers from both sides of the aisle in a July 30 letter to the White House.

“As part of this movement, Mr. Pashinyan—a former newspaper editor and political prisoner—led tens of thousands of Armenians through the streets of Yerevan to protest former President and Prime Minister Sargsyan’s decade-long rule,” the letter states. “Prior to being voted into his role of Prime Minister in May, Mr. Pashinyan organized this nonviolent grassroots movement known as the ‘Velvet Revolution,’ which ultimately forced Mr. Sargsyan to resign.”

The United States has an opportunity to strengthen its ties with Armenia on the heels of a popular revolution that could usher in series reforms, the lawmakers said.

“As Armenia seeks to bolster government transparency, strengthen democratic institutions, and empower civil society, it is critical for the United States to deepen its ties with this regional partner at every level of government,” the lawmakers wrote. “Without question, your meeting with Prime Minister Pashinyan would help to further this goal and strengthen dialogue between our countries.”

As American pastor Brunson continues to be held in Turkish prison, the United States has an opportunity to cement ties with Armenia, one of Turkey’s chief diplomatic rivals.

In addition to a meeting with Trump, Congress is petitioning the U.S. administration to pursue high-level diplomatic talks with the new Armenian government.

The lawmakers are seeking “a series of high-level conversations between your [Trump’s] Cabinet Secretaries and their counterparts in Armenia—many of whom have recently been appointed as members of the newly formed government,” according to the letter. “These meetings would help to establish a critical bridge between our countries, helping to further increase Armenia’s inclusion in the international system and likely leading to more comprehensive U.S.-Armenian bilateral trade.”

The Trump administration has been mum on the request, declining to comment on questions from the Washington Free Beacon about a potential meeting.

A State Department official told the Free Beacon it “reviews and appropriately responds to all congressional correspondence,” but would not comment any further.

The White House National Security Council also declined to comment on the matter.

One former Trump administration official who has seen the letter told the Free Beacon the White House should seize the moment with Armenia and build up new ties.

“At the very moment Turkey is turning away from the U.S. and our national interests abroad, Armenia is doing everything in its power to extend the olive branch and establish an even closer relationship with America,” the source said. “President Trump should embrace that and not back down in the face of Erdogan and his radical Muslim thuggery.”

Adam Kredo is senior writer reporting on national security and foreign policy matters for the Washington Free Beacon.

Armenia’s Pashinyan calls for rally in capital to sum up 100 days in office

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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is calling a rally in downtown Yerevan to sum up his first 100 days in office.

In a live video on Facebook on Wednesday, the PM invited people to gather at the Republic Square on 17 August, at 6:30pm local time.

He stressed the need to have a “serious conversation” with the population about what has happened in the country in the past 100 days, as well as about the government’s future plans to ensure a “leap forward development” in Armenia.

“We will talk about the existing opportunities and challenges, and how we are going to deal with them, to use all the opportunities and manage the challenges, and, in general, talk about yesterday’s, today’s and tomorrow’s Armenia,” he said.

The parliament elected Pashinyan as Armenia’s new Prime Minister on May 8.