Alexander Arzumanyan: Our mandates are of the same colour, Mrs. Karapetyan (video)
The Standing Committee on Foreign Relations of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia today discussed the proposal of Heritage party lawmaker Zaruhi Postanjyan to adopt a decision on military and political provisions ensuring safety of Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. In her speech, rapporteur Zaruhi Postanjyan said that Serzh Sargsyan decided to join the Customs Union overnight, which was a real surprise for all Armenians as at that time the country was holding talks to join the European Union. “The provisions of the CC agreement envisage that customs checkpoints’ should be set up between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh although we have a single economic zone and the same passports. De facto, we have two states, but one of them is recognized de jure. Today we need to recognize the independence of Karabakh and we should not miss this opportune moment considering the fact that documents are signed under threats that might jeopardize the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries,” she said. Lawmaker Alexander Arzumanyan said he agreed with many points of the proposal, though he could not understand why it was a proposal, rather than a law. Republican lawmaker Shirak Torosyan reminded his fellow colleagues that a checkpoint already exists between Armenia and Karabakh. “Besides, it is clearly stated that Armenia cannot join any international structure without Karabakh. Why didn’t you raise all your concerns in the past when we were signing the association agreement with the European Union? It is also mentioned here that no country can deploy its troops on the borders with Karabakh. And if those are international peacekeeping forces?” he said. Zaruhi Postanjyan reminded that Russia, one of the founding countries of the Eurasian Customs Union, is under the burden of serious sanctions today. “The sanctions will be applied against Armenia as well after we join the ECU and this will inevitably damage the economy of Armenia and Artsakh. The export of goods from Artsakh will be organized under new rules set by the ECU and now we are shifting these powers to the ECU. As for the deployment of peacekeeping forces, I want to remind you that karabakh is not involved in the negotiations and by signing the Madrid Principles Serzh Sargsyan did great harm to his people.” Republican MP Hamlet Harutyunyan announced that Zaruhi Postanjyan’s proposal was like an ultimatum and did not reflect the opinion of the international community. The next observation was made by Republican Naira Karapetyan who said ‘people should not come to the committee and start teaching lessons.’ This eventually angered Alexander Arzumanyan. “Our mandates are of the same colour, Mrs. Karapetyan. When I was involved in politics you were still studying at school. And you Mr Harutyunyan, being a participant of the Karabakh war and a native of Artsakh, how dare you say such things? Do you again want to appear under the yoke of Russia?” said Mr Arzumanyan. His words stirred up a dispute among the Republican members of the Committee.
