Spiritual leaders of Armenians call on opposition
20.04.2018,
19:39
Armenians’ spiritual leaders - Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I - called on the opposition to resolve the political impasse not in the street, but at the negotiating table.
YEREVAN, April 20. /ARKA/. Armenians’ spiritual leaders - Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I - called on the opposition to resolve the political impasse not in the street, but at the negotiating table.
During a meeting with prime minister Serzh Sargsyan today, the Catholicoi expressed concern over the ongoing mass protests, rallies and marches in Yerevan and some other towns against the election of former president Serzh Sargsyan as prime minister.
The spiritual leaders also expressed satisfaction with the fact that there are no clashes, no use of force.
"We pray for the tension to gradually subside, but there are numerous challenges, we will be able to confront them only by demonstrating national unity and unity," Karekin II said.
He said in a couple of days, on April 24, Armenians across the globe will be remembering the victims of the Armenian genocide and ‘everyone should remember the importance of this date, as well as the need to save the country from tragedies and losses.’ He also reminded of the Karabakh problem and the safety of Armenian servicemen protecting the country’s borders.
The Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, Aram I, in turn, noted that the involvement of young people in protests, the growing tension and uncertainty are detrimental to the Armenian people and its international image. According to him, overcoming the consequences of these rallies and the damage will take months.
"We must tell protesters that it is our common homeland, we are all her children, and we are one family. There will be difficulties, questions, but we must sit down and discuss the issues at the table, not in the street. It is necessary to find ways to discuss these issues jointly," he said.
‘It’s time to unite, as we are surrounded by unfriendly forces. Of course, there are questions, but we must discuss them in an atmosphere of mutual love and respect," he said.
The anti-government protests in Armenia began on April 13 after Armenia's ruling Republican Party nominated former president Serzh Sargsyan for the prime minister’s post. Serzh Sargsyan resigned as president on April 9 and was elected as prime minister during a special session of parliament on April 17 by a vote of 77 to 17.
According to Armenia’s amended its constitution, approved in a national referendum in 2015, Armenia has switched the government from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary system making the presidency largely ceremonial and strengthening the office of the prime minister.
The protests are led by Nikol Pashinyan, the head of the opposition Yelk parliamentary faction, who declared April 17 the beginning of popular, non-violent "velvet revolution" urging demonstrators to keep besieging ministries, the prosecutor's office, the central bank and other governmental buildings.
More than 200 people have been detained by police today after protests resumed in Yerevan against the election of former president Serzh Sargsyan as prime minister. -0-
During a meeting with prime minister Serzh Sargsyan today, the Catholicoi expressed concern over the ongoing mass protests, rallies and marches in Yerevan and some other towns against the election of former president Serzh Sargsyan as prime minister.
The spiritual leaders also expressed satisfaction with the fact that there are no clashes, no use of force.
"We pray for the tension to gradually subside, but there are numerous challenges, we will be able to confront them only by demonstrating national unity and unity," Karekin II said.
He said in a couple of days, on April 24, Armenians across the globe will be remembering the victims of the Armenian genocide and ‘everyone should remember the importance of this date, as well as the need to save the country from tragedies and losses.’ He also reminded of the Karabakh problem and the safety of Armenian servicemen protecting the country’s borders.
The Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, Aram I, in turn, noted that the involvement of young people in protests, the growing tension and uncertainty are detrimental to the Armenian people and its international image. According to him, overcoming the consequences of these rallies and the damage will take months.
"We must tell protesters that it is our common homeland, we are all her children, and we are one family. There will be difficulties, questions, but we must sit down and discuss the issues at the table, not in the street. It is necessary to find ways to discuss these issues jointly," he said.
‘It’s time to unite, as we are surrounded by unfriendly forces. Of course, there are questions, but we must discuss them in an atmosphere of mutual love and respect," he said.
The anti-government protests in Armenia began on April 13 after Armenia's ruling Republican Party nominated former president Serzh Sargsyan for the prime minister’s post. Serzh Sargsyan resigned as president on April 9 and was elected as prime minister during a special session of parliament on April 17 by a vote of 77 to 17.
According to Armenia’s amended its constitution, approved in a national referendum in 2015, Armenia has switched the government from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary system making the presidency largely ceremonial and strengthening the office of the prime minister.
The protests are led by Nikol Pashinyan, the head of the opposition Yelk parliamentary faction, who declared April 17 the beginning of popular, non-violent "velvet revolution" urging demonstrators to keep besieging ministries, the prosecutor's office, the central bank and other governmental buildings.
More than 200 people have been detained by police today after protests resumed in Yerevan against the election of former president Serzh Sargsyan as prime minister. -0-
