Pashinyan's interests may diverge from those of Armenian people, lawyer warns

Robert Amsterdam, international counsel for businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan, the leader of the Strong Armenia party, strongly criticized the outcomes of the 8th European Political Community (EPC) summit held in Yerevan, suggesting a growing rift between the Armenian administration’s agenda and national interests.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the attorney expressed skepticism over the lack of tangible results for Armenia following the high-level diplomatic gathering.

"I have been asked many times about the summit. From my perspective, I have never seen such a meeting take place where no investment commitments were made to Armenia, and no significant promises were made to the Armenian people," Amsterdam stated.

The attorney argued that the summit prioritized foreign interests and trade routes over Armenia's pressing security and humanitarian concerns. He noted that while the interests of other regional players were advanced, Armenia’s strategic partnerships were undermined without securing reciprocal benefits.

Amsterdam further accused the European Union of failing to uphold its stated principles regarding the rule of law. He highlighted a conspicuous silence on the issue of political prisoners in Armenia, who are held in "appalling conditions".

"The EU has retreated from its commitment to support the rule of law," Amsterdam asserted.

The lawyer also took aim at Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s rhetoric during the summit. Amsterdam pointed out that he failed to address the continued occupation of 200 square kilometers of sovereign Armenian territory by Azerbaijani forces. Furthermore, he noted the absence of discussions regarding the systematic destruction of Armenian historical and cultural monuments in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

"This suggests that Pashinyan’s interests may no longer coincide with the interests of the Armenian people," he said.

Amsterdam concluded by announcing that his firm has prepared an extensive 140-page report. The document details and condemns what he described as systemic failures and errors in the European Union’s activities and policies regarding Armenia.