Bill envisaging opening of foreign language schools caused hot debates in Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said that changes in the Azerbaijani military doctrine contradict the country’s constitution, which calls for avoiding hostilities. “Stationing of military bases is an internal affair of Azerbaijan and we do not interfere. However, Armenia reminds of Baku’s ongoing warlike rhetoric during all international meetings,” he said.

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Spokesman for the Armenian Foreign Ministry Tigran Balayan said that progress in the Karabakh conflict will be registered when Azerbaijan stops saber-rattling and acknowledges its responsibility for unleashing the war.

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Expert of the Armenian Center of Political and International Studies Ruben Mehrabyan said that a new – “post-Madrid” - stage has started in the Karabakh conflict settlement process. “This is proved also by the fact that U.S. President Obama’s letter to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev did not contain a single sentence about the Madrid principles and that the conflict should be solved on the basis on these principles,” Mehrabyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter when commenting on possible breakthrough in the negotiations. Meanwhile, the Armenian expert noted that the current stage of the talks made Azerbaijan stronger and Armenia – weaker. Referring to Karabakh’s possible involvement in the negotiation process, Mehrabyan said that it is hardly possible under the circumstances.

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Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan presented his objections concerning a package of bills on introduction of amendments to the RA Electoral Code. Specifically, the he objected to the provision on depriving presidential candidates of immunity. According to member of the Republican Party parliamentary group Gagik Isagulyan, who submitted the President’s objection, Serzh Sargsyan intends to preserve equality for presidential candidates, as the amendments prompts that only the acting president will have the opportunity to enjoy immunity during the election campaign. The National Assembly approved the President’s objections.

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ARF Dashnaktsutyun reelected its Supreme Body. Besides, the SB sitting adopted a statement, in which rehabilitation of the national dignity, establishment of social justice, protection of citizens’ rights and formation of new authorities in the country were noted among priorities.

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The U.S. has always been interested in Azerbaijan, describing it as “a strategic partner in the region”, according to expert Yervand Bozoyan. “The visits of U.S. high-ranking officials to the South Caucasus is a compensation for not inviting Azerbaijan to the nuclear energy summit last April. As to Turkey’s role in the region, it is an important factor in the Caucasus and tries to reanimate its power throughout the region, what is rather dangerous. Turkey is aspired to gain leadership in the Islamic World,” Bozoyan said.

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Russian-Turkish cooperation can be described as merely economic, according to Turkologist Artak Shakaryan. “Publications in Turkish media are the evidence of it. All issues covered refer to economy exclusively,” Shakaryan said. As to the recent events in Gaza, he said that these are not linked to Armenia anyway. “It was a maneuver plotted by Turkey and Israel to deceive Iran, with a purpose to transfer the center of Islamic world from Tehran to Ankara,” he said. “After the parliamentary elections in Turkey, relations with Israel will improve,” Shakaryan said, adding that the stronger is Turkey, the greater will be its pressure on Armenia.

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Sardarapat movement is determined to form alternative Armenian parliament. As member of the movement Zhirayr Sefilyan a news conference in Yerevan, the importance of new parliament formation is prompted by acting parliament’s failure to represent Armenian population’s interests.

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The most popular issue during the past week was the bill envisaging establishment of foreign language schools in Armenia.

“We are against opening of foreign language schools” initiative group members are indignant over the latest statement by Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, who labeled them as ‘an aggressive minority’. “I announce that we will be very active, intensifying efforts. We will do our utmost to prevent adoption of the bill in the National Assembly. If the bill is approved, we will struggle against opening of these school. If schools are opened, we will spare no effort to close them,” activist Armen Hovhannisyan said.

According to ARF Dashnaktsutyun group leader Vahan Hovhannisyan, such vital issues require open public discussions.

Another ARFD representative, chairman of the standing parliamentary committee on foreign relations, Armen Rustamyan slammed the bill on establishment of foreign language schools as “a shame for country.” “Adopting such a bill we will confess that Armenian schools are incapable of giving a proper education,” he said, adding that foreign language schools will cause a number of problems with Armenian mentality and capability to think in Armenian.

According to Prosperous Armenia party member Vardan Bostanjyan, this legislative initiative can lead to “disappearance of the Armenian nation.”

Head of Republic Party of Armenia parliamentary group Galust Sahakyan objected, saying that knowledge of a foreign language can’t prevent a man from being a patriot.

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Newly appointed Qatar Ambassador to Armenia Ibrahim Abdul Rahman Al-Meghaiseeb (residence in Tehran) submitted his credentials to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. During the meeting, the Armenian leader emphasized the importance of collaboration with Arab states. The President expressed hope for Ambassador’s recent appointment and intergovernmental committee formation to signal intensification of bilateral cooperation.