“Ruling MPs Either Cannot or Do Not Want to Protect Our Country's Vital Interests” – Hayk Mamijanyan

The Secretary of the "Honorary Duty" faction in the National Assembly, Hayk Mamijanyan, wrote on his Facebook page: "Ahead of the December 15 Eastern Partnership summit, the bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Eastern Partnership ("Euronest") has issued a statement to the heads of countries, in which not a single word is mentioned about the Azerbaijani aggression against Armenia's sovereign territory (not to mention the unleashing of the 44-day war, the involvement of Turkish armed forces and militants, the use of prohibited weapons, and the occupation of territories, which seem to be forgotten topics for the authorities). 

Do you remember that we proposed to utilize the EU-Azerbaijan negotiation process to push forward an agenda that serves our national interests? I have discussed this both from the podium of the National Assembly, at the only meeting held by the Armenian delegation of Euronest, and in interviews. 

Once again, our parliamentary diplomacy failed to capitalize on the existing opportunities. I would like to note that the head of the Armenian delegation is Maria Karapetyan from the ruling faction, who, by virtue of her position, is a member of the bureau and had the right to veto. This means that our country could have annulled the acceptance of the statement if its demands were not met. Parliamentary diplomacy with the Azerbaijanis is not about celebrating Novruz, and ruling MPs either cannot or do not want to protect our country’s vital interests.”