“You wouldn’t like, but we don’t use that name, we don’t say “Lavrov plan”. We all know where it cames from, however, diplomatically we call it “a proposal, a plan on the negotiation table”. I follow the standard description,” OSCE American Co-Chair said. He also clarified what is currently on the table it’s the developed, polished version of former plans.
In the beginning of ongoing year after the update a curious snapshot was observed. It turned out that in December 2016 compared with the same period of previous year money transferred to Armenia recorded sharp growth (by USD 43.5 million or 26%).
“But like with any open door, there is still the question of how many people will walk through and when. Since both sides showed a strong political will to come to this agreement, and since the benefits from the cooperation are very tangible, all those who wish Armenia well should make use of the new opportunities very actively.”
“I’m sure it’ll open wide perspectives for economic development. On March 3 I met Denis Manturov, Minister of Trade and Industry of Russia, in Moscow and we discussed issues on bilateral cooperation on agricultural equipment, radio-electronic industry, as well as on establishment of Russia-Armenia fund.”
The launch of activities of “Investors’ club of Armenia” nonpublic contractual investment fund was officially heralded on March 25 with the participation of the Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan and over 3 dozens of Diaspora Armenian businessmen from the Russian Federation.
The “Pressing” Club re-launches its debates under “168 Hours” newspaper. In this pre-election period our purpose is contributing to conscious election of voters through debates with the participation of political powers, economic, political and social figures, as well as experts. The project is implemented in partnership with “DEPOP” Institute for Governance and “AZAD Pharma AG” ltd.
The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is not aimed against anyone. The Treaty signatories were concerned with security in the area of the organization, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said in an interview to MIR TV.
“It’s one thing when groups are wanted, when a visible enemy exists, it’s another thing when under the mask of refugees people who have a very different task can enter any country,” Sargsyan said.
From the beginning of the week abundance of Iranian tourists was observed in the capital. Novruz Bayram—New Year of Iranians has brought them to Armenia, which starts from the fourth week of March and lasts for 13 days. In the period of those two weeks Armenia welcomes 20-25 thousand Iranians.
“It is no wonder that there is so much aggression in the air when diplomacy is seen to have achieved so little. A vacuum has been created which will be filled either by negotiations or by threats and potential military action. Another problem is that the other two Minsk Group co-chairs, France and the United States, have been seen to be too passive recently and that therefore the impression is created that Russia—and in particular foreign minister Sergei Lavrov—is the sole negotiator.”
