March 1 affected political processes in Armenia
The tragic events of March 1, 2008 affected political developments in Armenia, outgoing British Ambassador to Armenia Charles Lonsdale said in Yerevan on Monday.
He is leaving Armenia in the belief that Armenian authorities' intention to hold fair and transparent elections will be realized.
"We welcome Serzh Sargsyan's declaration that the coming elections must become the most transparent and fairest in Armenia's history," said Charles Lonsdale.
The UK government is concerned over the regional peace. The UK Ambassador says the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process is progressing much slower and urges to do everything to achieve peaceful settlement of the conflict through negotiations.
With regard to the fact that Great Britain has not recognized the Armenian Genocide, Mr. Charles Lonsdale said ‘it is only an official position since Britain has condemned the massacres carried out by the Ottoman Empire.'
The UK Ambassador observed positive changes in many spheres, including domestic violence and army.
Charles Lonsdale is leaving with his Armenian wife, promising to continue to encourage tourists to visit Armenia.
"The most important change for me was that I married an Armenian girl, thus tying me to this country," said the Ambassador who married an embassy employee in summer.
Charles Lonsdale will be replaced by the couple Jonathan James Eyvz and Catherine Jane Leach.
