Armenia should stop the political bluff called football diplomacy
Armenia's former Foreign Minister Alexander Arzumanyan labels the year-end press conference of the acting Foreign Minister as a speech made by the head of Housing Operations Office.
"In their annual speeches, Ministers usually report on achievements and meetings with international missions while the information provided by Minister Edward Nalbandian is available on the Ministry's website," Alexander Arzumanyan told a press conference on January 17.
According to Arzumanyan, the Armenian Foreign Ministry aspires to create an image of a reputable structure.
"Armenian authorities openly violate human rights, torment people and neglect PACE resolutions," said Alexander Arzumanyan adding that Armenia has shown regression after the presidential elections.
"Armenia's major task is to prevent resumption of hostilities in Nagorno Karabakh. Nothing can be dearer than a soldier's life. The Karabakhi people have expressed on the battlefield their desire to live in freedom, now the issue should be settled in diplomatic circles," he said.
Regarding Armenian-Turkish relations, Alexander Arzumanyan said Armenia should stop the political bluff called football diplomacy and start new negotiations putting aside the Armenian-Turkish Protocols.
Armenia's ex-Foreign Minister pins great hopes on the upcoming visit of CoE Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg and thinks more political prisoners will be freed after the visit.
I do not doubt the impartiality of the Council of Europe. The events of the recent months show that the Armenian authorities realize the necessity to release the political prisoners given the increasing pressure of international structures. The authorities are trying to save their image," he concluded.
