Talks between Prime Minister Sargsyan and MP Pashinyan lasted several minutes: "You haven't drawn lessons from March 1"
The talks between Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan and Nikol Pashinyan, the leader of the movement opposing Sargsyan's election as prime minister, ended at Marriott Hotel in Yerevan moments ago. After exchanging several phrases, PM Serzh Sargsyan left the hall. To note, the talks were covered in live streaming.
Panorama.am presents the full transcript of the meeting below:
Serzh Sargsyan: First, I am glad you responded to my numerous calls for a dialogue. To tell the truth, I don't even know how long we can negotiate in the presence of reporters. Anyway, I am glad.
Nikol Pashinyan: I think there has been a misunderstanding, since we talked to Mr Sarkissian (President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian) and I clearly presented my position that the topic [of the negotiations] is not about the dialogue proposed by you but our agenda. I have come here to discuss the conditions of your resignation and the peaceful transfer of the power - without a shock. Consequently, I urge you to avoid using the term 'dialogue.'
Serzh Sargsyan: In that case, these are not negotiations, this is an ultimatum, a blackmail toward the state and the legitimate authorities. You do not realize the level of responsibility, you haven't learnt lessons from March 1 (tragic events of March 1, 2008) and if you are going to continue speaking with me in such a tone, I have nothing to do but advise you to come back to the field of law and order, in general, to the scope of logical actions. Otherwise, you will have to take all responsibility. You have to choose.
Nikol Pashinyan: Mr Sargsyan, I want to be very clear. No one has dared and dares to speak in the language of threats. I think you have no idea about the state of affairs in the republic. The situation is no more the same [in the republic] you knew 15-20 days ago. The situation in the republic has changed and you have no more powers in the republic you have been briefed about. People have taken the power.
Serzh Sargsyan: A parliamentary faction that received 7-8 percent's is not authorized to speak in the name of the people. I have no more desire to continue talking to you. If you do not accept the legitimate demand of the state, I have to say good-bye.
The Prime Minister then stood up, addressed the reporters to make conclusions [of the meeting] and left the hall.