Representatives of six Armenian parties gathered near the EU office to submit a joint letter addressed to the EU leadership.
The letter is directed to participants of the upcoming European Political Community summit in Yerevan and leaders of their respective political families, raising concerns about alleged anti-democratic developments in Armenia, as well as the situation of Armenians held in Azerbaijan and issues facing Artsakh Armenians.
Deputy chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia Armen Ashotyan stated outside the EU representation: “With this letter, we are using the upcoming European summit not as an occasion to silently observe Nikol Pashinyan’s pre-election show, but as a platform to voice the bitter truth about Armenia,” according to Panorama.am .
He noted that the letter outlines six main areas: the first four relate to human rights, political persecution, alleged pressure on the church, and media freedom, while the last two address Armenians held in Baku prisons and the issues of Artsakh Armenians.
“Among our demands, we are united around the following calls: the immediate release of all political prisoners in Armenia, as well as our compatriots held in Baku; raising the issue of Armenia’s anti-democratic situation during those meetings; and, if possible, arranging meetings between summit participants and Armenian parties that are part of European political families,” Ashotyan said.
He added that the letter had already been sent the previous day to the presidents of the European Council and European Commission, the leadership of the European Parliament, heads of its political groups, and governments of EU member states.
“Armenians are the most hospitable people in the world; we are ready to welcome everyone with open arms in our homeland. But coming only to celebrate and not even asking the hosts how they are — that is unacceptable,” Ashotyan said.
The letter was authored by six parties: the Republican Party of Armenia and Heritage (European People’s Party), the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Socialists and Democrats), Prosperous Armenia (European Conservatives and Reformists), the Armenian National Congress (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe), and the Artsakh Democratic Party (European Free Alliance).
