Sharmazanov says Pashinyan became PM on wave of blackmails and threats
29.08.2018,
14:13
Deputy parliament speaker Eduard Sharmazanov from the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) lashed out today at Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan saying he became prime minister on the wave of blackmails and threats against his fellow MPs.
YEREVAN, August 29. /ARKA/. Deputy parliament speaker Eduard Sharmazanov from the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) lashed out today at Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan saying he became prime minister on the wave of blackmails and threats against his fellow MPs.
"The reason why the power in Armenia changed is that the previous government took a passive stance, while the political minority, on the contrary, used actively blackmail and threats. I am ready to give up my parliamentary seat if my party decides that I should vote for the government of Pashinyan," Sharmazanov said.
"The current situation in the country that resembles a circus or gladiator fights is a serious concern," Sharmazanov said.
The problem, he said, is that the current government does not take steps stemming from the security of Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), while the international image of the country is deteriorating.
"No matter how much the new authorities talk about the growth of investments and the sharp economic growth and the improvement of relations with Russia and the United States, I will refer to the facts - for the first time over the last 25 years the Russian foreign minister said that the actions of the Armenian authorities disagree with their words," Sharmazanov said.
"I do not see a sharp economic growth; I see attacks on the freedom of speech, justice, pluralism and state interests," Sharmazanov argued.
On July 31 Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow was ‘concerned’ over the latest developments in Armenia targeting former officials. Lavrov's remarks came after former Armenian president Robert Kocharyan was charged with overthrowing the constitutional order.
"The events of the last few days contradict the recent declarations of the new Armenian leadership that it was not planning to pursue its predecessors on political grounds," Lavrov said. "Moscow, as an ally of Yerevan, has always had an interest in the stability of the Armenian state, and therefore what is happening there must be of concern to us," he said.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Armenian province of Tavush earlier this month Pashinyan said in response to Lavrov’s remarks: "Now we have another situation, and we all need to adapt to this situation, including our Russian partners, so everything is fine." -0-
"The reason why the power in Armenia changed is that the previous government took a passive stance, while the political minority, on the contrary, used actively blackmail and threats. I am ready to give up my parliamentary seat if my party decides that I should vote for the government of Pashinyan," Sharmazanov said.
"The current situation in the country that resembles a circus or gladiator fights is a serious concern," Sharmazanov said.
The problem, he said, is that the current government does not take steps stemming from the security of Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), while the international image of the country is deteriorating.
"No matter how much the new authorities talk about the growth of investments and the sharp economic growth and the improvement of relations with Russia and the United States, I will refer to the facts - for the first time over the last 25 years the Russian foreign minister said that the actions of the Armenian authorities disagree with their words," Sharmazanov said.
"I do not see a sharp economic growth; I see attacks on the freedom of speech, justice, pluralism and state interests," Sharmazanov argued.
On July 31 Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow was ‘concerned’ over the latest developments in Armenia targeting former officials. Lavrov's remarks came after former Armenian president Robert Kocharyan was charged with overthrowing the constitutional order.
"The events of the last few days contradict the recent declarations of the new Armenian leadership that it was not planning to pursue its predecessors on political grounds," Lavrov said. "Moscow, as an ally of Yerevan, has always had an interest in the stability of the Armenian state, and therefore what is happening there must be of concern to us," he said.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Armenian province of Tavush earlier this month Pashinyan said in response to Lavrov’s remarks: "Now we have another situation, and we all need to adapt to this situation, including our Russian partners, so everything is fine." -0-
