‘In a Way, There is a Ceasefire, but the War is Not Over, There is No Agreement, No Peace’ - Armen Sarkissian

During a working visit to Kazakhstan, Armenian President Armen Sarkissian met with representatives of the Armenian community in Nur-Sultan. The President's office reports that while presenting the situation in Armenia, Armen Sarkissian emphasized that the country is experiencing difficult days, and the reasons are manifold.

“First of all, the war. In a way, there is a ceasefire, but the war has not ended. There is no agreement, no peace,” said President Sarkissian, continuing, “It is unclear where we are heading regarding the status of Artsakh, when negotiations will begin, and what their course will be. How will future relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan be formed? I am sure you all know how sensitive this issue is, not only for our citizens living in the border areas but for all citizens of the Republic of Armenia and the entire Armenian people. New questions arise every day, and these questions are very sensitive for everyone.”

The President highlighted that the issue of Armenian soldiers held captive in Azerbaijan is a very serious problem. “Armenia has returned Azerbaijani prisoners, but Azerbaijan is not doing the same and is trying to use them as a bargaining chip. This is absolutely unacceptable.”

Sarkissian also pointed out that there are significant economic difficulties. “We must think about the recovery of the economy; we need to plan, work, and work every day. The health of the people is also a major issue. COVID is an unexpected enemy, and approximately as many people have died as during the times of war. It is an unpredictable disease, and we will have to live with it for a long time.”

Noting that as a solution to the situation, early parliamentary elections are to be held in Armenia, President Sarkissian stated that there is only one way forward: everyone must work together. “A divided Armenia cannot overcome the current situation.”

In the President's opinion, it is necessary to change the current Constitution, as it does not allow for a balanced system of government, noting that a lion’s share of power belongs to the executive branch in the person of the Prime Minister, while other institutions are deprived of serious checks and balances, and the system of equilibrium and counterbalance is missing.

Armen Sarkissian also mentioned that constitutional changes should enhance the role of the diaspora. “Each of us must contribute to restore national unity. Armenians cannot be enemies of one another, and we cannot be divided by left, right, black, or white. When we talk to our friends, everyone says, ‘You are one of the oldest nations in the world,’ and to be the oldest also means to have the most experience. It is time to learn from our experience. We do not have the right to become smaller. Every Armenian loves Armenia and Artsakh like family, like their children, like their parents. You said something very important, that you would really want Armenia to love you back. This carries a very deep meaning—it means that we become one family, never to be divided, and never to have walls between us. There should be no walls between the diaspora and Armenia; we must all live as one family,” said Armen Sarkissian.