Protests against joining Customs Union outside presidential residence September 4, 2013 - 19:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A protest rally against Armenia’s joining the Customs Union was held outside presidential residence. The rally participants believe that by joining the CU, Armenia will make a step towards restoration of the USSR. Protesters are demanding resignation of President Serzh Sargsyan. As Heritage party representative David Sanasaryan told journalists, those gathered aim to express determination in disallowing a non-elected president or other officials to play games with Armenia’s sovereignty. A clash broke out between the demonstrators and the police when the formers tired to gather in front of the presidential residence. Several activists were detained. The Asparez club chair and National Self-Determination Union leader Paruyr Hayrikyan participated in the action, with the latter noting that Armenia’s jointing the CU should have been decided through a referendum rather than the president alone, tert.am said. Those detained are expected to be released after a report is drawn up. Several demonstrators marched to the police department to support their friends. The rally was planned in Facebook, with the further actions to be coordinated in the social network. Earlier, Armenia expressed intention to join Customs Union, with further plans to be involved in formation of EurAsEC. Russian President Vladimir Putin supported the initiative, voicing readiness to assist Armenia in the process. He also noted that Russian Railways may invest 15 billion rubles in development of Armenia's railway network. The Customs Union was formed in 2010 to include of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia; Kirghizia and Tajikistan later expressed willingness to join the Union. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |