Kocharyan Criticizes Pashinyan's Policies, Foresees New Political Force Around Karapetyan
In an interview on August 1, former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan heavily criticized the current government's policies. He described the ongoing debate over the Syunik road, which was included in the 2020 ceasefire statement as a parallel to the now-defunct Lachin corridor, as a "masterpiece of diplomatic failure" that has made Armenia's own territory a point of geopolitical controversy. Kocharyan accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of weakening the army and now attacking the church, calling the government's rhetoric about celibacy and national security a crossing of "red lines."
Kocharyan dismissed the preliminary signing of peace agreements with Azerbaijan as a "terminological trick" with no legal weight, likely aimed at influencing voters. He also condemned the government's pressure on philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan, calling it "stupid" and harmful to Armenia's investment climate. Kocharyan predicted that a new political force could emerge around Karapetyan, who he said lacks political experience but has strong management skills and public respect. He suggested this new force, alongside his own "Armenia" bloc, could reshape the country's political field amid what he described as declining trust in the current leadership.
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