YEREVAN. – Zhamanak daily spoke with Regional Studies Center Director, political analyst Richard Giragosian, concerning the events unrolling in Ukraine. Below is an excerpt from the interview.  

“What lessons should Armenia learn [from the events in Ukraine]?

“In the case of Armenia, three lessons can be set apart. First, it is very dangerous to ignore and not pay attention to the demands for social change and reforms, and to control, instead of governing the country.

“Second, the old opposition parties have no place any more, and this needs to be paid attention to. 

“Third, we need to understand: Both the West’s and Moscow’s policy towards Ukraine is unproductive and wrong. Real change cannot be brought from outside; a real democratic change should be from within Armenia.”