Pundit calls Armenian FM’s visit to Washington "fiasco"

The Armenian political expert, Suren Sargsyan, has said that generally, the visit of Armenian Foreign Minister, Ararat Mirzoyan, to Washington, was a fiasco.

“The 30th anniversary of the establishment of Armenian-American relations has become a serious occasion for rethinking and updating the agenda of bilateral relations, which, however, did not happen,” Sargsyan wrote.

Sargsyan said the Americans held a meeting at the level of the Secretary of State in honour of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations, Caliber.Az reports via the Armenian media.

“Unfortunately, this meeting was not used to discuss serious issues on the agenda or advance an agenda based on our interests. Instead, a document was signed on cooperation on civil nuclear energy, which has nothing to do with the vital interests of Armenia - this is the American agenda, and the Americans sign this document with dozens of developing countries,” the political expert noted.

Sargsyan also said that during about a dozen meetings, Ararat Mirzoyan did not raise questions regarding the status of Karabakh, the recognition of its independence and the right of nations to self-determination.

“On the part of the Congress: why do you constantly communicate with the same congressmen? Do you know the names of other congressmen or senators? There are 100 senators and 435 congressmen in the US. Do you have a desire to make new friends?” the expert says.

“With the participation of Mirzoyan, a meeting was organized at the Atlantic Council think tank (don’t you know other think tanks), which was attended by only 20 people, including embassy [of Armenia in the US] staff and an official delegation,” Sargsyan said.

He also said that it was clear that the Armenian side wanted to "snatch" several important messages from Washington for their use in the domestic political field.

“The messages especially related to American support for the reforms of the Armenian government. This proposal was heard by all the governments of Armenia without exception. It is necessary to benefit from this, and not turn this proposal into the subject of domestic political dividends,” the political scientist said.

Sargsyan said active travel is not evidence of effective diplomacy.

“It was a mistake to go to Washington on such an important occasion with such a pathetic agenda,” he wrote.