Aram I calls for ending “unhealthy atmosphere” in Armenia

Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia has called for an end to what he described as an “unhealthy atmosphere” in Armenia.

In a statement, Aram I said he was ready to travel to Armenia at any given moment to meet with Catholicos Karekin II, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and other persons of authority to “find solutions for bringing Armenia out of the difficult situation.”

“It is a shame, a thousand shame, the current unhealthy and anti-national atmosphere in Armenia. Unfortunately, the words of the Armenian language aren’t enough to express my pain and indignation,” Aram I said, condemning the recent “atmosphere” around the Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin and Parliament. 

Two senior Armenian clergymen are jailed on charges of a coup conspiracy and advocating the overthrow of government. Both have denied wrongdoing. Furthermore, Armenian government officials have claimed that Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church, is illegitimately holding office and have called for his resignation. 

The latest parliament brawl was strongly condemned by the Armenian Ombudsperson. 

Aram I said that all disagreements ought to be discussed in a calm atmosphere to find solutions.

Aram I said he was thinking about traveling to Armenia to help ease the tensions but the recent parliament debates and other developments, particularly the public discourse on social media and in parliament, which he described as vulgar and indecent, as well as the latest arrests have prevented him from doing so. Nevertheless, he said he was still willing to visit Armenia to hold consultations with officials, namely PM Nikol Pashinyan and Karekin II, to help find solutions.