The recent domestic policy events that have turned into a severe confrontation between RA President Serzh Sargsyan and "Prosperous Armenia Party" (PAP) leader Gagik Tsarukyan, who has become apolitical, have affected Armenia's international image. All this has had its effect on the events arranged to the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, a senior official of the diplomatic corps told the ArmInfo.
According to him, the internal squabbles, that are unacceptable for the western perception, have become the reason for several European countries and organizations to review their participation in the events. They have lowered the ceremonial level of the delegations to Armenia. According to the source, the domestic policy events have given cause for reflection that the internal issues of the Armenian establishment appeared to be more important than the future events. "If Armenia is not interested in its international image on the threshold of such an important event, then why should the international community attach much significance to it? Europe wants to see an intact and united Armenia where political powers are competing within the framework of political developments, but not fall under black and white and destroy each other", said the diplomat.
However, he stressed that after the conciliation between Sargsyan and Tsarukyan the situation has improved a little. He hinted that the conciliation did not shift itself without international mediation. In that context, the diplomat expressed his hope for the possibility to return to previously-made higher level arrangements concerning the visits to events dedicated to the centennial of the Genocide.
In this context, it is notable to mention the letter addressed to President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Anne Brasseur on behalf of the PAP deputies. In the letter the latter begged PACE to support the party in its dark times. It is particularly said in the letter that PAP was oppressed by the Armenian government and the President threatened party leader Gagik Tsarukyan to denude him of his political rights. There were also tax inspections at Tsarukyan's enterprises and Tsarukyan was removed from the Council of National Security. It was stressed in the letter that the reason was PAP's refusal to favor Sargsyan's constitutional reforms the aim of which was to extend the ruling regime's time in office.
In the February 18 follow-up letter Brasseur mentioned that such methods of political struggle are inappropriate for democratic countries. She said that she would raise the issue upon her visit to Armenia for the events arranged to the centennial of the Armenian Genocide.
It is notable that after the Tsarukyan-Sargsyan conciliation, the PAP members stopped the talks about oppressions and did not officially publish the letters.