Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Carlos Moedas, EU Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation and Jean-Christophe Belliard, Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service launched today the EU4Innovation initiative together with the Eastern Partnership countries, in Yerevan.
Freedom House published its “Freedom on the Net 2016” report on Monday. Armenia retained its position among the countries with free internet (the report covers June 2015 – May 2016), but its overall score declined by two points and the country came really close to the “partly free” category, which was mostly due to the police violence against journalists (including myself) during the #ElectricYerevan protests as well as the increased self-self-censorhip during the 4 day war with Azerbaijan in April 2016.
“I consider in 1-2 years citizens of EEU member countries will feel that. We have a market of 3 million, it’s a very small market. By becoming a EEU member country, we have become a part of a market of 170 million. If, finally, we reach those purposes, laying on the ground of that union—free move of commodities, services, workforce and capital, then we, of course, will gain a lot,” Serzh Sargsyan stated.
“What is national idea? Become a strong state, a powerful state. Having issues neither with Azerbaijan, nor with Turkey,” Armenia’s President said.
“We have never refused any meetings, let it be on the level of the president, Foreign Minister, even working ones, however, we always support, that those meetings were useful, and some progress was recorded. If there is no progress, if we meet, then the agreements aren’t implemented, what’s the use of those meetings?” Armenia’s President said.
“We fully support Russia’s actions to render assistance at the request of the Syrian government. Asking for assistance is the legitimate right of the Syrian government, and providing this assistance is Russia’s legitimate right,” he stressed.
“Of course, arms race is not a good situation, and we don’t want to engage in it, but what to do if every day you are threatened with war and destruction. You have to take corresponding steps,” President Sargsyan said.
“I think, there is no need, since the military base has all opportunities for including the required elements. Thus, I think that one military base is enough in small Armenia, we just need to fill it with military capacity,” the President said.
“Today we’re focusing on the mining sector, because as you know, it is one of the leading sectors in the Armenian economy and a major contributor to the GDP and the country’s exports. Mining represents real opportunities for Armenia,” said Ambassador Mills.
“The logic is very simple: after the constitutional reforms the role of party figures will increase in politics. If you want to do politics, you should be a member to this or that political party. It is very important that our Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan has decided to join the party. He is a decent, honest, patriotic and professional political figure,” Sharmazanov said.
