Gevorg Kostanyan: Who says the EU was critical of Armenian authorities? (video)
“The head of the European Union mission in Armenia, Piotr Switalski, did not say anything new when speaking about electoral processes in Armenia,” says Naira Zohrabyan, a lawmaker from the Tsarukyan alliance. “They are trying to be more catholic than the Pope and do not give a sober assessment of the situation. I do not understand the ambassador’s objective concerns and his clear assessments. It is not a secret that electoral fraud and irregularities have reached disgusting sizes in our country,” she said. Piotr Switalski recently criticized the conduct of the 2017 parliamentary elections in Armenia. Naira Zohrabyan does not think that the European Union is afraid that the Armenian government may refuse to sign the Association Agreement at the last moment under the pressure of Russia. “As far as I know, all issues have been agreed upon with a third party to avoid further contradictions,” she said. Gevorg Kostanyan, a member of Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), is not inclined to consider Switalski’s sharp criticism as a rebuke to Armenian authorities. “Who says that Switalski was critical [of our authorities], he simply expressed an opinion. Some describe it as a rebuke, others get angry. This is simply exchange of opinions,” Mr Kostanyan said. The EU envoy argued that proper conduct of elections is among political reforms which the Armenian authorities undertook to implement in return for financial assistance provided by the EU. At the same time, he reminded that the EU had provided the Armenian authorities with more than $7 million for the purchase of special electronic equipment to be used during the parliamentary elections. However, the elections turned out to be a failure in the end. Head of the HHK faction Vahram Baghdasaryan says no one can interfere in the internal affairs of our country. “Providing financial assistance does not mean that they should manipulate that help and interfere in internal affairs of our country,” he said. The Republican lawmaker is surprised that Switalski has not noticed the rapid growth and democratization of elections in Armenia. The MP did not like the Ambassador's style, either. “One can express his concerns, but one cannot voice harsh criticism of the functions of Central Election Commission (CEC).”
