Pashinyan on the Karabakh problem (updated)

Yerevan/01.05.18/Turan: According to the candidate for Prime Minister of Armenia and opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan, a compromise settlement of the Karabakh conflict can only be discussed if Azerbaijan recognizes the right to self-determination of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. He stated this, responding to the questions of deputies about his position in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. "In the atmosphere, when Azerbaijan threatens to destroy the Armenian statehood, it's a bit strange to talk about a compromise. In these conditions, we can only talk about increasing the defense capacity of our own state, and any compromise option can be discussed only if Azerbaijan sends a very clear message that it is ready to recognize the right to self-determination of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh," said Nikol Pashinyan and added: "There is no other option." -02D-

* * *

The Armenian parliament has been discussing the issue of the new prime minister for several hours

Yerevan / 01.05.18 / Turan: In the morning on May 1, discussions began in the Armenian parliament on Nikol Pashinyan's candidacy for the post of prime minister of the country. Deputies from the ruling Republican Party staged a real interrogation to Pashinyan, asking him one question after another.

The debate has lasted for several hours and the end of it is not visible, Meanwhile, on the square in front of the parliament there is a 100 thousand meeting, the participants of which demand to elect Pashinyan as the head of the government. Meanwhile, the leader of the Republican faction Sharmazanov said that the leader of the protest movement Nikol Pashinyan cannot be the head of the government. He became sure of it after yesterday's meeting with Pashinyan.

Pashinyan himself said during today's speech in parliament that the attempts of the Republican Party to fail the vote will cause a tsunami. He also announced the need for early parliamentary elections.

Pashinyan's candidacy was supported by opposition parties that have a total of 47 votes in parliament. To select a prime minister, 53 votes are needed. 58 seats belong to the ruling Republican Party. Earlier, the oppositionist called on his supporters to gather in the square of the republic on election day. -02D-