Armenia at a Crossroads
Armenia at a Crossroads: Pashinyan's Constitutional Gambit Sparks Controversy
In a bold move, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has set forth a proposal to overhaul the country's constitution, citing the imperative to align the foundational law with evolving global realities. Pashinyan emphasized the necessity for a constitution that would enhance the Republic of Armenia's competitiveness and resilience in the face of shifting geopolitical dynamics.
"We must have a Constitution that will make the Republic of Armenia more competitive and more viable in the new geopolitical and regional conditions," asserted Pashinyan, underscoring the demand for a comprehensive overhaul rather than mere amendments.
However, skepticism abounds among Armenian political analysts, who foresee a potential consolidation of the prime minister's power under the new constitution, portraying Pashinyan as a looming national autocrat. The reference to "new regional conditions" has raised suspicions of external pressures, with some experts speculating that Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan are influencing Pashinyan to expunge any mention of Karabakh from national legislation.
Certain voices in Yerevan contend that the leaders of Turkic nations are pressing Pashinyan to erase all references to Karabakh, a move deemed essential for the completeness of Pashinyan's recent declaration recognizing Azerbaijan's territorial integrity over a significant area. This, however, clashes with Armenia's constitutional position, as the current constitution does not explicitly mention Karabakh.
The intricacy lies in the first sentence of the Armenian Constitution, which refers to the Declaration of Independence. This foundational document derives Armenia's independence from the joint Resolution of the Supreme Council of the Armenian SSR and the National Council of Nagorno-Karabakh in 1989, proclaiming the reunification of the Armenian SSR and Nagorno-Karabakh.
Without a constitutional revision, Armenia remains entangled in a precarious situation. Any national law, as well as the interstate Azerbaijani-Armenian treaty on borders and territories, may be deemed contentious, and future political leaders might contest the legality of Prime Minister Pashinyan's acknowledgment of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.
The road to a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia appears fraught with challenges unless a new constitution, stripped of its historical baggage and aggressive rhetoric, is adopted. Armenia is at a crossroads, and the prospect of peace depends on a willingness to review its constitutional legislation.
Leave a review
Caucasus
-
In a bid to alleviate longstanding regional tensions, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has announced that his country is prepared to serve as a mediator in peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia, should the two neighbors express interest. Speaking in an interview with Georgia’s First Channel, Kobakhidze emphasized Georgia’s willingness to play an active role in facilitating dialogue between Baku and Yerevan.
-
Four years have passed since the 44-day war, which ended Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani territories, fundamentally altering the balance of power and reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the South Caucasus. While negotiations are ongoing, a comprehensive peace agreement remains elusive.
-
The EU's High Representative Josep Borrell and the European Commission issued a joint statement regarding the recent parliamentary elections in Georgia. The document, published by the European External Action Service (EEAS), underscores the need to address election shortcomings and enhance transparency to build trust in Georgia’s democratic process. The essence of the document indicates that the elections in Georgia took place, and it is necessary to promptly address the shortcomings and bring clarity to establish trust in the electoral process.
-
The meeting between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Jeyhun Bayramov and Ararat Mirzoyan, held in Istanbul on October 18, 2024, marked another step in ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict between the two countries. This meeting took place for the first time on the regional cooperation platform known as "3+3."
1 comment
Gagik
2024-01-22
Pashinyan poteryal doverye pered obshestvom, kazhdiy raz pridumav chto- to novoe, a vash prezidend naoborot usilivaet pretenzi k Armeniy. Tak chti ustupiv mnogo ne poluchiv nichego eto politicheskiy bogazh Pashika.