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 David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. 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. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. U.S. believes peace is “possible” in South Caucasus The United States continues to believe that peace is possible in the South Caucasus, Vedant Patel said. |